Tuesday morning brought several inches of rainfall to Guthrie County, causing flooding issues and a tornado warning for Adair County.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning around 6:50am for western Guthrie County, which initiated Raccoon Valley Radio’s Severe Weather Action Team and brought live coverage on KKRF 107.9FM. At 7:08AM, Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Cooper reported that a good portion of Guthrie County was under a flood warning. He helped Guthrie County Secondary Roads close several county roads. Cooper noted that Bagley had most of its roads closed because of about six inches of precipitation and that brought rising water over the roadways.

Cooper mentioned about 4.75 inches were reported at the Secondary Roads Department Office in Guthrie Center. He added that the northern part of Guthrie County seemed to be the focal point of the flooding, with the National Weather Service reporting an incoming one to two inches in the first storm system of the day. There were also reports of over 70 miles winds by the Stuart Fire Department.

A tornado warning was also issued by the National Weather Service for Adair County at 7:24am until 8am. Cooper said the warning also reached the Casey and Menlo areas. Four additional severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Guthrie and Adair counties with the last ones expiring at 8:15am in Adair County and 9am in Guthrie County.

Around 3pm Raccoon Valley Radio returned to Severe Weather Action Team coverage, as severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued throughout the area. Guthrie County Conservation Director Brad Halterman alerted the Severe Weather Action Team that due to rising water levels at Nations Bridge Park, they were closing the bottom camping level until further notice.

In an update from Cooper just before 3:50pm, he noted at least three or four tornadoes on the ground in Adair County, with one making a direct hit to the city of Greenfield, causing immense damage to the area. He also mentioned that at the time, there was some rotation south of Stuart. Due to the severe damage done to the City of Greenfield, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office sent some deputies to offer assistance, along with the Dexter Fire Department and Stuart Rescue Team.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater also made a post asking for anyone willing to volunteer equipment or manpower to contact him. Several churches in town have also opened their doors to offer shelter and food. The Adair County Cattlemen also began cooking burgers at the Fareway in town, and Zipp’s Pizza set up their food truck at St. John’s Catholic Church offering free slices of pizza

About five Raccoon Valley Radio staff, along with Weatherology meteorologists and Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Cooper were involved in the live coverage of the storms.