As far as I know, everything is fine in my yard in SE Kansas, but the local university is shut down for the day due to power problems from last night--whatever that means. That wind that passed through was definitely notable but only lasted about 10 minutes. Very strange.

Glad to hear MO gardeners are doing fine also.

Kate

Thanks Dublinbay-Kate.

I don't know about the university either, maybe just precautions, or the antennae for the radio station; but we did have a power outage for our whole area last night for about 6 hours. Lots of sheet metal in the fields and in town as well. I haven't heard too much about the Branson area.

Nothing but a little light rain last night here, which can only provide unneeded encouragement to my Austins and forsythia. Glad to hear everyone is okay

It was really windy last night in Chicagoland. My radio lost transmission, and I thought it was broken. There are litter everywhere. I don't pick up bottles to clean up the neighborhood, after my brother, an emergency room physician notified us about "homemade bomb", made by aluminum and "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner placed inside a bottle - explode when touched. Here's more info.:

Good safety info that I never heard of; be careful and watch the video if you don't believe it. Anything with sodium hydroxide (lye) reacts with aluminum to release hydrogen gas and an explosion:

Pay attention to this.

1. a plastic bottle with a cap.
2. a little Drano.
3. a little water.
4. a small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM!!
6. No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc..

People are finding these bombs in mailboxes and in their yards, just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash. But, you'll never make it!!! It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.

See "SNOPES" below....it's true. This happened a few days ago...April 27, as a matter of fact.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp

Strawberry, thank you for the info, I do pick up trash that escapes the trashman's truck, and those cans left by those weekend binges; better to know and be safe.

Seriously winding here, even had a tornado watch until late into the evening. Got some more rain and other people stuff in my yard.

I hadn't heard that Strawberry. Thanks for the info. Hope everyone is okay.

Lots of wind, rain, and hail here in Knoxville
I heard three people in a couple of counties over were killed by tornados :(