Tornado and Flash Flooding in Missouri, May 30 to 31, 2013

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Missouri, May 30 to 31, 2013
Start: 2013-05-30T14:25
End: 2013-05-31T22:56
Location: Missouri

May 30 to 31, 2013 · NWS SGF · 61 events in 22 counties and zones

A slow moving trough across the central portions of the country helped develop several rounds of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding across the Missouri Ozarks.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $80,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 61

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.

A slow moving trough across the central portions of the country helped develop several rounds of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding across the Missouri Ozarks.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 30, 12:55 PM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 30, 12:55 PM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
155 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

.MESOSCALE DISCUSSION...

THE INGREDIENTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT EPISODE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
HAVE COME TOGETHER OVER THE OZARKS AIRMASS THIS AFTERNOON. STORMS
ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN STRENGTH OVER THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...POSING A RISK FOR LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND GUSTS...AND
TORNADOES.

A SPECIAL RADIOSONDE OBSERVATION WAS PERFORMED AT NOON...AND THIS
DATA MEASURED 2075 J/KG OF CAPE FROM A MIXED LAYER PARCEL. 90 J/KG
OF THIS CAPE WAS DISTRIBUTED BELOW 3 KM...SUGGESTING AN INCREASED
RISK FOR TORNADOES THIS AFTERNOON.

DECENT NORMALIZED CAPE WITHIN THE -10 TO -30 LAYER...ALSO
INDICATES THAT LARGE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS CAN NOT BE
RULED OUT. WITH ANY LINE SEGMENTS THAT DEVELOP...REAR INFLOW WINDS
FORCED TO THE SURFACE WOULD CREATE A DAMAGING WIND RISK. SO ALL
MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON...AND STORM
TYPES COULD BE MIXED AND MESSY AS WELL.

REGARDING THE SHEAR...35 TO 40 KNOTS OF 0-6 KM SHEAR IS SUFFICIENT
FOR OVERALL STORM ORGANIZATION.

CRAMER

&&

.SHORT TERM...(THIS EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY)

A SIGNIFICANT EPISODE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS UNDERWAY ACROSS
EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND THE MISSOURI OZARKS. CLEARING THIS
MORNING ALLOWED FOR SUFFICIENT HEATING TO DESTABILIZE OUR AIRMASS.
THIS INSTABILITY COMBINED WITH DECENT SHEAR...WILL ORGANIZE
STORMS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...POSING A RISK FOR LARGE HAIL UP TO
THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS...DAMAGING WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 70
MPH...AND TORNADOES. THIS ACTIVITY IS BEING DRIVEN BY A NICE 700
MB SPEED MAX APPROACHING THE REGION FROM KANSAS.

THE HYDROLOGY SITUATION IS ALSO BEING CLOSELY
MONITORED...PARTICULARLY OVER SOUTHEAST KANSAS...AN AREA THAT
EXPERIENCED WIDESPREAD AMOUNTS OF TWO TO FIVE INCHES LAST NIGHT.
FLOODING IS ONGOING ACROSS CHEROKEE...CRAWFORD...AND BOURBON
COUNTIES...AND WILL ONLY BECOME WORSE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

EVENTUALLY LATE TONIGHT...STORM INTENSITIES AND RAINFALL AMOUNTS
WILL BEGIN TO CEASE...MOST LIKELY SETTING UP A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF
DRY WEATHER THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY. HOWEVER...STORMS
WILL ONCE AGAIN FIRE ACROSS EASTERN KANSAS FRIDAY EVENING...AND
EVENTUALLY BLANKET THE OZARKS REGION FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE COMBINATION OF A STRONG LOW LEVEL JET...AND COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF
MOISTURE IN PLACE...WILL BE IDEAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FLASH
FLOODING. AS A MATTER OF FACT...SEVERAL MODELS ARE NOW SUGGESTING
THAT ADDITIONAL WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS COULD RANGE FROM THREE
TO FIVE INCHES...JUST FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY ALONE.

RAINFALL WILL END FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST SATURDAY AFTERNOON
INTO THE EVENING HOURS.

CRAMER

.LONG TERM...(FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY)

A DRY CONTINENTAL AIRMASS WILL BE MUCH WELCOMED ACROSS THE AREA
SUNDAY AND INTO THE EARLY WORK WEEK. THIS AIRMASS COMBINED WITH
NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT...WILL KEEP GULF MOISTURE AT BAY...ALLOWING
FOR DRY WEATHER THROUGH AT LEAST MONDAY.

THERE IS A SIGNAL FROM THE GFS...INDICATING THAT A SHORTWAVE WILL
APPROACH FROM THE WEST TUESDAY MORNING...POTENTIALLY CREATING A
CLUSTER OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. EVEN IF THIS
MATERIALIZES...THIS CLUSTER WILL MOVE QUICKLY...AND ONLY IMPACT A
FEW LOCATIONS.

WE WILL NEED TO MONITOR THE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY TIME FRAME FOR
ADDITIONAL SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. MEDIUM RANGE MODELS ALL
SIGNAL A UNSEASONABLY STRONG CLOSED OFF CYCLONE POSITIONED ACROSS
THE NORTHERN PLAINS. THIS COULD SET THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER ACTIVE
PERIOD MID TO LATE NEXT WEEK. LETS JUST GET THROUGH SATURDAY...AND
WE'LL FOCUS A LITTLE MORE ON NEXT WEEK THOUGH :)

CRAMER

&&

.AVIATION...(FOR THE 12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY MORNING)
ISSUED AT 602 AM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

A COMPLEX FORECAST FOR TAFS DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS DUE TO
ONGOING CONVECTION IN THE AREA THIS MORNING AND THE REDEVELOPMENT
FOR CONVECTION LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. VFR
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OUTSIDE OF CONVECTION AT AREA TERMINALS
BUT UNDER CONVECTION AND SHOWERS WILL SEE CEILINGS AND VIS DROPPING TO
MVFR. HAVE TEMPO GROUPS THIS MORNING FOR JLN AND SGF TO COVER THIS
AND PROB30 MENTIONED FOR ALL TERMINALS LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO
THE EVENING HOURS.. SOUTHERLY WINDS AGAIN WILL BE GUSTY LATE THIS
MORNING AND AFTERNOON UP TO 30 KNOTS POSSIBLE FOR JLN AND SGF.
HAVE MENTIONED NON CONVECTIVE LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR TO STRONG LOW
LEVEL JET FROM 06Z TILL 12Z TONIGHT. SOME SEVERE CONVECTION WILL
BE POSSIBLE FOR JLN AND SGF LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT.

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR MOZ055>058-
     066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106.

     TORNADO WATCH FOR ALL MISSOURI COUNTIES

KS...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR KSZ073-097-101.

&&

MESOSCALE...CRAMER
SHORT TERM...CRAMER
LONG TERM...CRAMER
AVIATION...GRIFFIN

Hazardous weather outlook, May 30, 11:04 AM CST, 3 hours 21 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
1204 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-311715-
BOURBON-CRAWFORD-CHEROKEE-BENTON-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-VERNON-
ST. CLAIR-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-BARTON-CEDAR-POLK-DALLAS-
LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-NEWTON-
LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-STONE-
TANEY-OZARK-OREGON-
1204 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI
OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED...

  ELEVATED TORNADO RISK.
  ELEVATED HAIL RISK.
  ELEVATED THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE RISK.
  SIGNIFICANT FLOODING RISK.
  SIGNIFICANT LIGHTNING RISK.

DISCUSSION...

 ROBUST THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON OVER
 THE MISSOURI OZARKS. LARGE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF GOLF
 BALLS...DAMAGING WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH...AND TORNADOES
 WILL BE POSSIBLE.

 ADDITIONAL STORMS WILL APPROACH SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND WESTERN
 MISSOURI LATER THIS EVENING. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME
 SEVERE AS WELL.

 FLOODING AND FLASH FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE OUTLOOK
 AREA TODAY. EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS WILL BE ESPECIALLY
 SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH FLOODING...SINCE THIS REGION HAS ALREADY
 EXPERIENCED TWO TO THREE INCHES OF WIDESPREAD RAINFALL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

 SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL ONCE AGAIN BE POSSIBLE FROM LATE
 FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO FRIDAY NIGHT ALONG AND AHEAD OF A SLOW
 MOVING COLD FRONT. ALL MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE
 ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA. IN ADDITION...WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINFALL
 IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA FRIDAY NIGHT.

 WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO UNFOLD ACROSS
 EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND MUCH OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS. STORM
 TOTAL RAINFALL FROM TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY WILL AVERAGE
 BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS AROUND
 SIX INCHES POSSIBLE. AS A RESULT...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN
 EFFECT THROUGH 7 AM SATURDAY MORNING.

 SOUTH WINDS WILL GUST TO 30 MPH AT TIMES FRIDAY ACROSS EXTREME
 SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

 SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED IN THE NEXT THREE HOURS FOR
 LOCATIONS EAST OF INTERSTATE 49.

&&

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW AVAILABLE IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT...ALONG WITH
OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION...AT
HTTP://WWW.CRH.NOAA.GOV/SGF(ALL LOWERCASE)

CRAMER

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 30, 12:16 PM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
116 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0102 AM     TORNADO          1 NNW BOLIVAR           37.63N 93.42W
05/20/2013                   POLK               MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            THIS IS A DELAYED REPORT. NWS AND POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY
            MANAGEMENT HAVE DETERMINED THAT AN EF-0 TORNADO OCCURRED
            DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS OF 5/20/13. TORNADO STARTED
            1NNW BOLIVAR AROUND 102AM TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES
            AND LIFTED AROUND 108AM ABOUT 1NE BOLIVAR. ONE TRAILER
            WAS BLOWN ONTO A ROAD...SMALL BARN OVERTURNED...AND
            SEVERAL TREES WERE UPROOTED. ESTIMATED WIND SPEED WAS 85
            MPH AND PATH WIDTH WAS 100 YDS.

&&

GAEDE

Local storm report, May 30, 12:25 PM CST, 2 hours before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
125 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1246 PM     HAIL             GIRARD                  37.51N 94.84W
05/30/2013  E0.88 INCH       CRAWFORD           KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

MSUTTON

Special weather statement, May 30, 12:43 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
143 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

KSZ097-101-301930-
CHEROKEE KS-CRAWFORD KS-
143 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE AND WESTERN
CRAWFORD COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CDT...

AT 142 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 9 MILES WEST OF MCCUNE...OR 8 MILES SOUTH OF ST.
PAUL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND WINDS AROUND
50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE HEPLER...MCCUNE...WALNUT AND WEST MINERAL.

PEOPLE IN NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE AND WESTERN CRAWFORD COUNTIES...
SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER SITUATION CLOSELY. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE
WARNINGS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION SHOULD SEVERE
WEATHER THREATEN.

HEAVY RAINS MAY QUICKLY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS CREEKS...
DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS AS AUTOMOBILES CAN QUICKLY STALL.

LAT...LON 3767 9508 3768 9488 3729 9481 3726 9508
      3738 9508 3739 9510
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 226DEG 24KT 3739 9517

WISE

Special weather statement, May 30, 1:36 PM CST, 49 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
236 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

MOZ068-079-080-302000-
HICKORY MO-POLK MO-DALLAS MO-
236 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN HICKORY...NORTHEASTERN
POLK AND NORTHWESTERN DALLAS COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM CDT...

AT 233 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR HALF WAY...OR 8 MILES EAST OF BOLIVAR...
MOVING NORTH AT 45 MPH. NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND WINDS AROUND 50 MPH
ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

LAT...LON 3798 9307 3791 9308 3790 9306 3756 9317
      3759 9335 3800 9328
TIME...MOT...LOC 1937Z 190DEG 41KT 3766 9325

WISE

Special weather statement, May 30, 1:56 PM CST, 29 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
256 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

MOZ055>057-066>069-078>081-089-302100-
BENTON MO-CAMDEN MO-CEDAR MO-HICKORY MO-LACLEDE MO-MILLER MO-
MORGAN MO-POLK MO-ST. CLAIR MO-VERNON MO-DADE MO-DALLAS MO-
256 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BENTON...CAMDEN...CEDAR...EASTERN
VERNON...HICKORY...MILLER...MORGAN...NORTHERN DADE...NORTHERN
DALLAS...NORTHWESTERN LACLEDE...POLK AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES UNTIL 400
PM CDT...

AT 251 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR LEADMINE...OR 16 MILES NORTHEAST OF
BUFFALO...MOVING NORTH AT 45 MPH. NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND WINDS AROUND
45 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

ADDITIONAL SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DEVELOPED ACROSS WESTERN AND
CENTRAL MISSOURI THIS AFTERNOON. THE STRONGER STORMS WITHIN THIS
ACTIVITY WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WINDS OVER 40 AND HAIL TO THE
SIZE OF NICKLES.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

LAT...LON 3865 9283 3860 9283 3844 9262 3843 9241
      3834 9240 3833 9227 3802 9237 3802 9241
      3776 9245 3734 9407 3764 9408 3764 9411
      3806 9417 3804 9407 3822 9405 3821 9353
      3852 9351 3854 9308 3868 9307 3870 9298
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 199DEG 39KT 3788 9296

WISE

The radar

The Springfield radar (KSGF), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:24 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 flash flood, 10 hail, 9 thunderstorm wind, 6 heavy rain, 5 flood, 1 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Morgan

When: May 30, 2:25 PM CST to 3:25 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 0.88 mi SW of Gravois Mills
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.310, -92.830

Hail, Morgan

When: May 30, 2:28 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 0.88 mi SW of Gravois Mills
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.310, -92.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Howell

When: May 30, 2:56 PM CST
Where: Howell County, 3.09 mi ENE of White Church
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.870, -91.730

Several large trees were blown down.

Flash Flood, Jasper

When: May 30, 4:00 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 0.55 mi W of Webb City to 0.54 mi W of Webb City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.150, -94.480

Several roadways were impassable and pictures of the flooding were on Facebook.

Flood, Jasper

When: May 30, 4:48 PM CST to 5:48 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 0.55 mi E of Joplin to 0.68 mi E of Joplin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.080, -94.510

Water up to a foot deep was flowing over Zora Road and Miller Road.

Heavy Rain, Lawrence

When: May 30, 5:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.69 mi S of Halltown
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.190, -93.630

Rainfall of 4.20 inches fell in several hours.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: May 30, 6:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.78 mi NE of Mt Vernon to 0.9 mi NE of Mt Vernon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.108, -93.820

Fast flowing water was observed on several streets making them impassable in Mount Vernon. Pictures of the flooding were on Facebook.

Heavy Rain, Greene

When: May 30, 6:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 2.75 mi E of Battlefield
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.120, -93.330

Three inches of rainfall fell in less than two hours.

Heavy Rain, Lawrence

When: May 30, 6:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.1 mi E of Stotts City
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.100, -93.950

Rainfall of 3.80 inches fell in several hours.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: May 30, 6:23 PM CST to 7:23 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.53 mi SSE of Pierce City to 0.6 mi S of Pierce City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.943, -93.998

There were numerous reports of flooding and intersections under water around Pierce City and the north side of Monett.

Flash Flood, Webster

When: May 30, 6:58 PM CST to 7:58 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.38 mi S of Bracken to 1.6 mi S of Bracken
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.310, -92.800

MODOT reported Highway 38 was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 30, 7:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 1.64 mi ESE of Republic to 1.58 mi ESE of Republic
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.110, -93.453

A picture from Facebook showed a swollen creek was flooding into resident's yards and streets.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 30, 7:15 PM CST to 8:15 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 2.06 mi WSW of Springfield to 1.87 mi WSW of Springfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.186, -93.333

Wilson Creek was flooded out of its banks at Scenic Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Phelps

When: May 30, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Phelps County, 1.29 mi ESE of Edgar Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.690, -91.850

Several trees were blown down along Highway H east of Edgar Springs.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 30, 7:20 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 2.47 mi S of Nichols to 2.41 mi S of Nichols
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.184, -93.370

Wilson Creek flooded the intersection of Farm Road 146 and Farm Road 123.

Flash Flood, Christian

When: May 30, 7:48 PM CST to 8:48 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 0.55 mi W of Boaz to 0.32 mi W of Boaz
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.020, -93.410

Willoughby Road was flooded about one half mile west of Highway N.

Flash Flood, Wright

When: May 30, 8:30 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 0.69 mi S of Mansfield to 0.72 mi S of Mansfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.110, -92.580

Water was entering apartment buildings due to high water.

Flash Flood, Wright

When: May 30, 8:55 PM CST to 9:55 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 2.82 mi NNE of Hartville to 2.8 mi NNE of Hartville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.288, -92.502

Highway E was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, McDonald

When: May 30, 9:29 PM CST to 10:29 PM CST
Where: McDonald County, 0.31 mi NE of Mc Natt to 0.41 mi ENE of Mc Natt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.733, -94.316

One to two feet of flowing water was over the roadway at Elkhorn Creek and CC Highway about 7 miles east of Goodman.

Flash Flood, Barry

When: May 30, 9:30 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Barry County, 0.18 mi NE of Monett to 0.21 mi W of Monett
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.922, -93.918

There were several reports and pictures from Facebook of flooded streets and impassable roads due to flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: May 30, 9:30 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.98 mi NNE of Stotts City to 2.96 mi NNE of Stotts City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.140, -93.950

Highway 97 was closed due to flooding.

Heavy Rain, Wright

When: May 30, 9:50 PM CST to 10:50 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 0.55 mi E of Hartville
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.250, -92.510

Rainfall of 3.40 inches fell in several hours.

Tornado, Howell

When: May 30, 11:20 PM CST to 11:25 PM CST
Where: Howell County, 5.04 mi W of Olden to 2.06 mi NW of Olden
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.28 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.859, -92.010

A tornado uprooted numerous trees along its 4 mile path. Several bales of hay were picked up and thrown. An outbuilding was destroyed near a dairy farm. The width of the path was estimated about a quarter of a mile wide. Estimated maximum winds were up to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Howell

When: May 30, 11:29 PM CST
Where: Howell County, 0.55 mi E of Olden
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.870, -91.910

A tree was blown down.

Flash Flood, Howell

When: May 31, 12:56 AM CST to 1:56 AM CST
Where: Howell County, 1.4 mi SE of Leota to 1.42 mi SE of Leota
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.518, -92.010

Several low water crossings were flooded and impassable.

Flood, Webster

When: May 31, 2:13 AM CST to 4:13 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.93 mi SSE of Marshfield to 1.01 mi SSE of Marshfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.319, -92.911

MODOT reported several low water crossings flooded and closed.

Flood, Lawrence

When: May 31, 2:15 AM CST to 3:15 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.76 mi NNE of Stotts City to 2.88 mi NNE of Stotts City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.136, -93.948

MODOT reported Highway 96 north of Stotts City was closed due to high water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 31, 6:35 AM CST
Where: Benton County, 0.69 mi S of Lincoln
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.390, -93.330

Several trees were down. One tree fell on a garage.

Hail, Dallas

When: May 31, 7:05 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 0.69 mi N of Urbana
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.840, -93.170

A picture from Facebook showed quarter sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: May 31, 7:10 AM CST
Where: Morgan County, 0.69 mi N of Marvin
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 38.430, -92.770

A couple of trees were blocking Highway C and Highway E.

Flood, Lawrence

When: May 31, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 3.28 mi N of Mt Vernon Arpt to 3.23 mi N of Mt Vernon Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.117, -93.901

Two people attempted to cross a low water bridge on County Road 2110 three miles west of Mount Vernon along the Spring River. One male was rescued in the river and the other male drowned. His body was later recovered. Heavy rainfall from the previous night led to elevated water levels on area streams.

Flood, Jasper

When: May 31, 1:58 PM CST to 2:58 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 0.7 mi WNW of Jasper to 1.9 mi SW of Jasper
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.333, -94.332

Several roads were flooded across Jasper County. These included Jackpine Road from County Road 160 to County Road 170. County Road 180 from Highway 96 to Kafir Road was flooded. County Road 90 from Harmony Road to Ivory Road was flooded. These roadways were along the Spring River.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laclede

When: May 31, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Laclede County, 1.09 mi E of Eldridge
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.830, -92.750

A communication tower was blown down.

Hail, Benton

When: May 31, 4:31 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.63 mi SW of Mora
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.490, -93.250

Hail, Morgan

When: May 31, 4:46 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 7.18 mi W of Zwanzig
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 38.310, -93.060

Heavy Rain, Morgan

When: May 31, 5:26 PM CST to 7:26 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 0.69 mi N of Florence
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.590, -92.980

Three inches of rainfall fell in about 2 and a half hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Miller

When: May 31, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Miller County, 0.54 mi E of Tuscumbia
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.230, -92.460

A picture from Facebook showed a tree on a house.

Lightning, Greene

When: May 31, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Greene County, Fair Grove
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.380, -93.150

Two people were struck by lightning and knocked unconscious at an outdoor rodeo. Both individuals were taken to an area hospital and later released.

Hail, Cedar

When: May 31, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Cedar County, 2.76 mi N of Stockton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.740, -93.800

Hail, Cedar

When: May 31, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Cedar County, 1.29 mi ESE of Caplinger Mills
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.790, -93.800

Several houses had roof damage and cars had hail damage due to the large hail stones.

Flash Flood, Barton

When: May 31, 6:40 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where: Barton County, 1.78 mi ESE of Liberal to 1.65 mi ESE of Liberal
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.560, -94.500

High water was flowing over Highway K east of Liberal.

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: May 31, 6:45 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 2.13 mi SE of Glensted to 1.86 mi SE of Glensted
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.500, -92.840

Highway E was flooded by high water.

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: May 31, 6:45 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 2.97 mi NNW of Gravois Mills to 2.82 mi NNW of Gravois Mills
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.360, -92.840

Highway MM was flooded.

Flash Flood, Cedar

When: May 31, 7:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Cedar County, Stockton to 0.08 mi E of Stockton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.700, -93.800

There were numerous roadways in Stockton which were impassable due to high water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: May 31, 7:06 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.3 mi WNW of Burns
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.610, -93.360

A tree was reported down across Highway AA just north of Highway 32 blocking both lanes of traffic.

Hail, Hickory

When: May 31, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Hickory County, Elkton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.850, -93.430

Widespread nickle to quarter sized hail was reported across southern Hickory County.

Hail, Dallas

When: May 31, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 0.69 mi N of Urbana
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.840, -93.170

A picture of the hail was on Facebook.

Flash Flood, Maries

When: May 31, 7:20 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Maries County, 1.76 mi SW of Belle to 1.63 mi SW of Belle
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.260, -91.740

Highway 42 was flooded one half mile west of Highway 28.

Flash Flood, Miller

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Miller County, 0.79 mi NW of Aurora Spgs to 0.87 mi NW of Aurora Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 38.339, -92.590

A teen was near a storm drain culvert and was swept away by quickly rising water. His body was later recovered along a creek about half a mile from the original location. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were moving through the area at the time.

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Newton County, 2.15 mi NNE of Seneca
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.880, -94.590

A tree fell down across a driveway.

Flash Flood, Cedar

When: May 31, 7:37 PM CST to 8:37 PM CST
Where: Cedar County, 2.76 mi E of Stockton to 2.9 mi NE of Stockton Resv North
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.702, -93.750

There were numerous reports of roads closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Miller

When: May 31, 7:50 PM CST to 8:50 PM CST
Where: Miller County, 0.53 mi ESE of Eldon to 0.32 mi E of Eldon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.347, -92.571

There was widespread flooding of roadways in the Eldon area.

Heavy Rain, Morgan

When: May 31, 8:05 PM CST to 9:05 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 0.88 mi SW of Gravois Mills
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.310, -92.830

Rainfall of 3.33 inches was reported in 4 hours.

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: May 31, 8:29 PM CST to 9:29 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 3.62 mi NNW of Gravois Mills to 3.48 mi NNW of Gravois Mills
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.370, -92.840

A high water rescue took place at a low water crossing.

Flash Flood, Laclede

When: May 31, 9:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Laclede County, 2.26 mi SW of Lebanon to 2.32 mi SW of Lebanon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.701

High water up to a foot deep was over the east bound lane of Highway 32.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 31, 9:34 PM CST to 10:34 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 1.62 mi SE of Mumford to 1.55 mi ENE of Sequiota
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.162, -93.201

High water was reported over County Road 123 and County Road 146.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 31, 9:43 PM CST to 10:43 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 2.65 mi SE of Mulroy to 2.77 mi SE of Mulroy
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.220, -93.140

Water was over the roadway at the intersection of Division and Highway 125.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 31, 9:43 PM CST to 10:43 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 1.49 mi SSE of Elwood to 1.41 mi SSE of Elwood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.210, -93.420

A foot of water was over the intersection of Highway B and Highway 266.

Flash Flood, Greene

When: May 31, 9:56 PM CST to 10:56 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 0.82 mi SW of Walnut Grove to 0.75 mi SSW of Walnut Grove
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.411, -93.560

A foot of water was over the road in Walnut Grove.

Flash Flood, Wright

When: May 31, 9:56 PM CST to 10:56 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 1.58 mi ENE of Hartville to 1.4 mi ENE of Hartville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.256, -92.493

Several low water crossings throughout the county were flooded.

Hail, Douglas

When: May 31, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, 1.1 mi E of Midway
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.030, -92.580

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flood, Lawrence	2013-05-31	72	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flash Flood, Miller	2013-05-31	17	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Missouri, 2013 Warnings in Missouri, May 2013

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 444788, 444786, 444794, 444710, 444787, 444753, 444715, 444752, 444754, 444719, 444725, 444733, 444726, 444795, 444727, 444728, 444729, 444734, 444730, 444735, 444736, 444755, 444497, 444796, 444737, 444756, 444758, 444798, 444793, 444797, 444705, 444784, 444801, 444789, 444790, 444799, 444804, 444706, 444791, 444792, and more.