News Summary
Kansas City is experiencing notable disruptions due to major construction projects and severe weather alerts. With construction on U.S. 17 starting next week, residents should prepare for delays. Additionally, thunderstorms with potential flooding are forecasted, along with high winds and hail, causing concern for safety and power outages throughout the region. The National Weather Service has issued several warnings, urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this turbulent week.
Kansas City is facing significant disruptions this week due to major construction projects and severe weather alerts impacting both the Kansas City and Clay County areas. As the region prepares for construction on U.S. 17 in Clay County, residents should also remain vigilant regarding severe thunderstorms forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS).
Construction set to begin next week involves resurfacing and improvements on U.S. 17 from Oak Street to Black Creek in Clay County, Florida. The project, estimated at $12.2 million, is expected to be completed by late 2026 by Duval Asphalt. The construction aims to reduce long delays for northbound traffic on U.S. 17.
Key changes to be implemented include:
- Replacing the existing traffic signal at County Road 209 (Russell Road).
- Adding directional islands in the median.
- Installing a new traffic signal at Mahama Bluff Road.
- Lengthening the northbound left turn lane on U.S. 17.
- Enhancing roadway lighting.
Additionally, the existing median opening at Boivin Road and CR 209 will be modified to convert the full median opening into a directional median opening for southbound to eastbound turns from U.S. 17 to CR 209.
Simultaneously, a report from the National Weather Service warned of strong thunderstorms affecting Cherokee and Clay counties, with an alert effective until 3 p.m. on September 27, 2025. The storm is expected to bring pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm near Murphy, moving southeast at 15 mph. The NWS indicated that thunderstorms may lead to gusty winds capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around unsecured objects, alongside potential minor hail damage to vegetation. Residents in Murphy and Brasstown are advised to seek shelter if outdoors.
Localized flooding is a significant concern due to the torrential rainfall associated with the storm, and residents are reminded that lightning poses a considerable risk, with an average of 25 million lightning strikes reported yearly in the U.S., resulting in approximately 20 fatalities annually. Safety recommendations during thunderstorms include seeking shelter indoors, especially when conditions worsen.
Moreover, the NWS has issued several thunderstorm warnings and watches across Kansas and Missouri on the evening of September 27, 2025, with severe weather impacts anticipated until around 11 p.m.. Wind gusts in some areas have been reported up to 55 mph, and hail sizes have reached up to 0.88 inches (nickel-sized).
The storm was tracked near Ferrelview, significantly impacting major highways including Interstate 29 and Interstate 435. Tornado watches were also issued for parts of the Kansas City metro area, remaining in effect late into the evening.
As a result of the severe weather, power outages have affected thousands across the metro, with reports indicating over 11,000 customers without power at one point. Multiple counties in Missouri and Kansas are under flash flood warnings until late evening, with significant rain contributing to flooding concerns in the areas.
Residents are encouraged to remain informed and take necessary precautions as both construction and severe weather patterns develop over the coming days. Community cooperation and safety awareness are essential during this weather alert, ensuring residents are prepared for potential impacts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Milwaukee County Declares State of Emergency Amid Flooding
Back to School Events in Jacksonville Gear Up Families
Celebration of Life for Veteran and Family Man
Dangerous Heat Wave Impacting Central U.S. and East Coast
Frontier Airlines Launches Nonstop Service from Jacksonville to Atlanta
New Whole Foods Market Coming to Jacksonville’s One Riverside
Former Police Chief Escapes from Arkansas Prison
Pensacola Braces for Historic Winter Storm
Severe Storms Create Chaos Across the Southern and Midwest U.S.
Essence Sugar: Jacksonville’s Rising Star in Plus-Size Fashion
Additional Resources
- News Observer: Weather News
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Kansas City Star: Weather Updates
- Google Search: Severe Weather Kansas City
- My Wabash Valley: Emergency Alert System
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- KMBC: Tornado Watch Issued
- Google News: Kansas City Tornado Watch
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
