Easter Tornadoes Strike MO, Quake Hits Calif.

Easter started off quiet and calm for much of the nation - with clear skies at many reporting stations. But the afternoon turned busy with a 7.2 earthquake striking just in Baja California - rocking much of the desert southwest.

The quake was felt in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Phoenix and Las Vegas. It was described by many as a rolling quake - and not the kind where you feel a big jolt then shaking.

The rolling motion splashed water out of swimming pools and made hanging flower baskets swing back and forth.

Here is a link to some awesome home videos that shows just what the quake was like - but I warn you, two of the videos have a few curse words as the videographer was in the moment of the quake with a huge rush of emotion. 

Home Videos of Quake

Then as the evening rolled in thunderstorms turned severe across east-central Missouri with several reports of large hail and even a few tornadoes near the town of Mexico, MO.

There were some reports of damage to a few structures, trees and power lines. But so far, no deaths or serious injuries.

Here is a wonderful picture taken by my facebook friend - Steve Steinke - from the Phoenix area. It is an Easter sunrise picture Arizona style!

And finally - the next 3 days could be the most active stretch of days we have seen this year in terms of severe weather. A large  portion of tornado alley is outlooked for possible severe weather both today, tomorrow and Wednesday as a large storm system pulls east of the Rockies.

I think just about every storm chaser I know is en route to the Great Plains to track the first (well - guess you could say the potentially largest) outbreak of severe storms so far in 2010.

Below is a picture from the car featuring Tony Laubach and Dann Cianca as they charge east along Interstate 70 early Monday morning.

Follow Tony's web site by clicking here!

Follow Dann's web site by clicking here!

Travel safe guys - bag a great storm - or two - or three!