A convicted killer and rapist known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks' was captured after a 13-day manhunt in the Arkansas mountains, following his escape from prison by impersonating a corrections officer. The escape and subsequent search involved bloodhounds, drones, helicopters, and a specialized border patrol team, highlighting the rugged terrain of the Ozarks. Hardin, who had been serving sentences for murder and rape, was identified through fingerprinting and recaptured near the prison he escaped from.
Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks,' escaped from prison in Arkansas, prompting a search by law enforcement in the rugged Ozark mountains. His escape has heightened fears among victims' families, especially since he was serving sentences for murder and rape, and he is considered dangerous.
Strong storms, including tornadoes, caused extensive damage to homes, trees, and power lines throughout the Ozarks on Sunday morning, particularly affecting Boone County, Arkansas, and dumping large hail in the region.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for several counties in the Ozarks, lasting until 10 a.m. on Sunday. The KY3 First Alert Weather Team is monitoring the potential for severe weather along a line of storms. Residents are advised to stay informed through alerts and the KY3 First Alert Weather App.
Severe weather in the Ozarks has caused widespread power outages, with over 6,000 customers in Pulaski County and more than 5,400 customers in Laclede County without electricity. The Waynesville School District canceled classes due to downed trees and damaged power poles, while the total number of power outages across Missouri exceeds 23,000. Several trees are down near St. Robert, and residents are advised to stay updated on storm damage through Ozarks Today.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for multiple counties in the Ozarks, including Barry, Greene, and Jasper, lasting until 11 p.m. The KY3 First Alert Weather Team is monitoring the potential for severe storms and an enhanced risk for tornadoes moving west to east throughout the night. Residents are advised to stay informed and prepared using the KY3 First Alert Weather app.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for several counties in the Ozarks, including the Springfield area, from Sunday night to Monday noon, with accumulations of up to five inches of snow and hazardous conditions that could impact commutes.
Freezing rain in the Ozarks led to icy road conditions, prompting MoDOT crews to work overnight and resulting in slow traffic and several slide-offs, including a tractor-trailer on I-44 east of Springfield. More than 250 schools across the region were closed due to the icy conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued several alerts for the Ozarks ahead of a freezing rain event, including an Ice Storm Warning for Newton, Arkansas, a Winter Storm Watch for several Arkansas counties, and a Winter Weather Advisory for numerous Missouri and Arkansas counties. The potential for up to 1/10 to 1/5 inch of ice accumulation on Monday could lead to hazardous conditions, impacting the morning commute and potentially causing scattered power outages.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for much of the Ozarks, including several counties, with the advisory in effect from 4 a.m. to noon. The area is expected to experience up to one inch of snow and rapid freezing of wet roadways, potentially leading to hazardous travel conditions, with winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour.
The Ozarks region is expected to experience an active week of weather, with ongoing rain and wet snow, followed by the possibility of light snow on Tuesday and hazardous conditions on Friday and into early next week due to cold air and potential flash freezing. Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be nice days, but the area may see cold temperatures and snow on Sunday and Monday, with the potential for hazardous travel conditions due to ice crystal snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for much of the Ozarks, including the Springfield area, lasting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Several Missouri counties are included in the advisory, with the potential for up to four inches of snow accumulation, making commutes slippery. Residents are advised to stay updated on the wintry weather through the KY3 First Alert Weather App.
The Ozarks region experienced cold and cloudy weather with some snow showers, but Sunday is expected to be sunny with temperatures rising to the mid to upper 40s. A new storm system will bring rain on Monday, turning to snow with gusty winds on Tuesday, leading to a First Alert Weather Day. Snow accumulations will vary, with 1 to 3 inches expected in Springfield and up to 6 inches northward. Temperatures will remain below normal through the next week, with another potential storm system by next Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for several counties in the Ozarks, effective until 8 a.m. Saturday. The advisory warns of potential snow accumulations up to one inch and a light glaze of ice, which could make untreated roads hazardous. Residents are advised to stay informed via the KY3 First Alert Weather app and exercise caution while traveling.
The new COVID-19 vaccine, targeting the Omicron variant, is expected to be available in the Ozarks by the end of September. Researchers from Moderna have reported that the latest booster appears to work against the Omicron subvariant. While it is uncertain if the new vaccine will match the EG5 variant exactly, indications suggest that it will be effective. The Webster County Health Department advises individuals who have already received the bivalent booster to wait for the new vaccine. Wastewater sampling is being used to track variants in the area, and once the new vaccine is released, it will be accessible through the county's mobile unit.
