An abnormally warm and humid air mass, spread across Kansas and Missouri on December 26, 2008. Thanks in part to a large and powerful storm system which developed across the Great Basin. Temperatures in the afternoon of the 26th, soared to records levels in the upper 60s. By the evening hours of the 26th, the powerful upper level storm system
was beginning to bear down on the Central Plains. A potent cold front
was swinging through Nebraska and Iowa, with the development of
thunderstorm activity, across much of eastern Kansas and west central
Missouri. This thunderstorm activity, while strong to severe, caused
little in the way of damage. However, it did produce flash flooding in
areas from Warrensburg, Missouri to Moberly, Missouri.
After midnight, a large line of thunderstorms, began to develop further to the west, along the cold front stretching from central Kansas into northwestern Missouri. Additional thunderstorms developed in areas near Emporia, Kansas by 3 am on the 27th. These thunderstorms would go on to produce widespread wind damage, as they lifted northeast into the Kansas City Metropolitan area, and areas to the south and east.
Heavy rains of one to two inches was common across the area, and combined with the frozen ground, led to rapid runoff and flash flooding. Several rivers also went above flood stage.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:59:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEES SUMMIT
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 00:14:00 to 27-DEC-08 00:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: QUICK CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inch tree limbs and a tree were reported down across Highway 2.

Flood in HENRY, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 11:46:00 to 28-DEC-08 17:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLAIRSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Big Creek near Blairstown crested at 23.45 feet, or 3.45 feet above flood stage.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANDREW, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 02:06:00 to 27-DEC-08 02:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMAZONIA
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds ripped a porch off a house on Route 398 near the Missouri River.

Flood in SALINE, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 08:45:00 to 31-DEC-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERNDON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Blackwater River near Blue Lick crested at 28.95 feet, or 4.95 feet above flood stage.

Flood in CHARITON, MISSOURI
From 30-DEC-08 06:00:00 to 30-DEC-08 06:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRUNSWICK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Grand River at Brunswick crested at 19.00 feet, or right at flood stage.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 05:11:00 to 27-DEC-08 05:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Power lines and trees were down because of thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:49:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAYTOWN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in RAY, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 15:52:00 to 27-DEC-08 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts caused a mailbox pole to bend.

Flood in BUCHANAN, MISSOURI
From 28-DEC-08 06:00:00 to 28-DEC-08 20:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: AGENCY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Platte River near Agency crested at 22.27 feet, or 2.27 feet above flood stage.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:48:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANDVIEW
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Power lines and trees were downed and a roof was damaged at an apartment complex.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 05:06:00 to 27-DEC-08 05:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIBERTY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash Flood in SALINE, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 06:55:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SWEET SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was reported flowing over Highway 127.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:49:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: HICKMAN MILLS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large branches and power lines were reported down in southern Kansas City.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAY, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 05:15:00 to 27-DEC-08 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORRICK
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Flash Flood in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 07:00:00 to 27-DEC-08 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VLY CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Highway 23 was closed at Blackwater due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:52:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Hail in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 00:06:00 to 27-DEC-08 00:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARRENSBURG
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PLATTE, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 00:45:00 to 27-DEC-08 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERRELVIEW
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 00:49:00 to 27-DEC-08 00:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING BRANCH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 04:53:00 to 27-DEC-08 04:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSKIN HGTS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were reported down near Interstate 470 and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 05:00:00 to 27-DEC-08 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds gusted to 60 mph and caused minor damage at the Downtown Kansas City Airport.

Flood in CARROLL, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 19:45:00 to 28-DEC-08 11:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: W B JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Wakenda Creek near Carrollton crested at 16.60 feet, or 0.60 feet above flood stage.

Flood in CHARITON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 11:20:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRAIRIE HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Chariton River near Prairie Hill crested at 18.48 feet, or 3.48 feet above flood stage.

Flood in RAY, MISSOURI
From 28-DEC-08 04:36:00 to 28-DEC-08 17:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Crooked River near Richmond crested at 21.33 feet, or 1.33 feet above flood stage.

Flood in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 08:12:00 to 29-DEC-08 00:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: VLY CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Blackwater River near Valley City crested at 27.9 feet, or 5.90 feet above flood stage.

Flood in LIVINGSTON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 14:44:00 to 29-DEC-08 22:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHILLICOTHE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 30.56 feet, or 6.56 feet above flood stage.

Flood in HOWARD, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 12:04:00 to 28-DEC-08 05:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTE FLD ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Moniteau Creek near Fayette crested at 19.44 feet, or 3.44 feet above flood stage.

Flood in CHARITON, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 15:19:00 to 31-DEC-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMNER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Grand River near Sumner crested at 34.29 feet, or 8.29 feet above flood stage.

Flood in HENRY, MISSOURI
From 27-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 29-DEC-08 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: URICH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The South Grand River near Urich crested at 27.12 feet, or 3.12 feet above flood stage.