article_snippet.sent: Emergency managers in Kansas and Illinois huddled separately to address the approaching storms.
article_snippet.sent: Kansas officials warned that hail could be the size of baseballs, while Illinois officials told residents residents should be prepared to seek shelter if bad weather arrives.
article_snippet.sent: Hail the size of baseballs battered Missouri, Kentucky and Kansas earlier Wednesday and threatened to do more damage Wednesday night and into Thursday.
article_snippet.sent: Emergency officials said a tornado touched down briefly Tuesday night in southeastern Kansas.
article_snippet.sent: Parts of Missouri and Indiana also had severe weather Tuesday.
highlights_snippet.sent: Massive hailstones already fell Wednesday during the storm system's first lashings in Missouri, Kentucky and Kansas .
  