‘Take shelter now’: Tornado confirmed in Missouri’s Caldwell County

A confirmed tornado has touched down in northern Caldwell County in northwest Missouri, where the National Weather Service is advising residents to take shelter.

“If you are in Mirabile, Kingston, and Hamilton in Missouri take shelter now!” the agency wrote on Twitter shortly after 3:30 p.m. “There is a confirmed tornado heading your way!”

The tornado was confirmed near Kingston or Hamilton shortly before 3:40 p.m., moving northeast at 45 mph, according to meteorologists. It was confirmed by radar.

The weather service advised residents to move to a basement or the lowest level of a sturdy building. It also said people should avoid windows. Mobile homes, it said, could be destroyed. Roofs and vehicles will be damaged.

“If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris,” the service wrote in the Caldwell County warning, which was set to expire at 4 p.m.

The weather service also said there was a funnel cloud spotted along Interstate 35, just east of Lathrop in nearby Clinton County.

“If you are driving, pull over and find sturdy shelter now!” the agency said.

The warnings are the latest in a series of tornado warnings issued Sunday afternoon across northwest Missouri, though it appears to be the first confirmed tornado.

Other warning earlier in the day were issued north of the Kansas City metro area, including Country Club Village and Amazonia in Missouri, and in Troy, Kansas, though those have since expired. Another one in Daviess County expired after the storm that prompted the warning “weakened below severe limits.”

A tornado watch, which meanings conditions are “favorable for the development of tornadoes,” will remain in effect until 10 p.m. for north central and northwest Missouri, according to the weather service.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.