Tornado warning for Cape Girardeau County, Union County expires

The tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service for Cape Girardeau County and Union County, Ill. has now expired.

The warning was issued before 7 p.m., when weather service radar indicated a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Jackson.

Robin Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., said around 7:30 p.m. that a tornado had not been spotted and was only radar indicated.

"But that can change as soon as we hang up," he said. "Everything is happening so fast right now."

He recommends people stay inside and listen to local media for additional reports.

Watches have been issued until midnight for tornadoes and flash floods by the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. The areas under the tornado watch are all of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, west Kentucky and southwest Indiana, according to meteorologist Christine Wielgos.

The flood watch affects portions of Southeast Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Scott and Bollinger counties, Southern Illinois and southwest Indiana.

"A flash flood watch means possible but not imminent," Wielgos said. Be prepared to take action. Most people see warm weather and sunny skies and think its OK. We're in a very high threat for severe weather, especially tornadoes."

She said the magnitude of the tornado watch is one of the highest.

"It's what we call a PDS, a particularly dangerous situation," she said.