Tornadoes touched down in Cooper, Vernon Bates counties, National Weather Service says
Apr 02, 2025
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Overnight storms – and tornadoes – in Missouri left a trail of damage across the state. While Kansas City saw thunderstorms, hail and wind damage, other parts of the state weren't so lucky.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed Wednesday that a tornado touched down
in Cooper County around 8:34 a.m. Wednesday.
"A tornado with an estimated peak wind of 115 mph (EF-2) traveled for around 6.3 miles across portions of western Cooper County, Missouri, impacting the town of Pilot Grove and surrounding areas," the NWS said in its preliminary report.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) shared photos Wednesday morning of the damage in Cooper County.
Photo: Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook
Photo: Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook
Photo: Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook
It was also confirmed that a tornado touched down in Nevada, Missouri, in Vernon County. According to the NWS, an EF-1 tornado hit the area around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday.
Storm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MODrone footage of Nevada damage (Photo: Kaleb Bailey)Drone footage of Nevada damage (Photo: Kaleb Bailey)Drone footage of Nevada damage (Photo: Kaleb Bailey)Drone footage of Nevada damage (Photo: Kaleb Bailey)Drone footage of Nevada damageStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MOStorm damage in Nevada, MO
Business U.S. 54 in Nevada was closed Wednesday due to storm damage, MSHP Troop D said on X.
Photo: MSHP Troop D on X
Photo: MSHP Troop D on X
Photo: MSHP Troop D on X
"Please avoid the area and let crews complete the clean up safely," Troop D said Wednesday morning.
The NWS also confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Pleasant Hill in Bates County around 7:02 a.m.
"A brief EF0 Tornado began in an open field about 4.5 miles east-northeast of Butler Missouri near NE County Road 4004...before ending about 4 miles south of Ballard, MO, just south of State Route D.," the NWS said in its preliminary report.
Tornado classifications are based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale):
EF0: 65 to 85 mphEF1: 86 to 110 mphEF2: 111 to 135 mphEF3: 136 to 165 mphEF4: 166 to 200 mphEF5: >200 mph
The MSHP said on Facebook that no fatalities have been reported. ...read more read less