‘Tornado Alert Continues’: Wallaroos Experience Yet Another Extreme Weather Challenge During Team Evacuation

The Wallaroos and their coaching staff were forced to evacuate their hotel rooms in Kansas City owing to a tornado warning currently impacting the area.

During the Pacific Four series, the team previously faced unusual weather conditions when their match in Sacramento against Canada was held without any spectators due to hazardous lightning strikes.

In a statement, the team confirmed their evacuation occurred in the evening due to “active tornadoes” across the Kansas City metropolitan area and the state of Missouri on Tuesday (AEST).

Earlier on Tuesday morning, the Wallaroos conducted their training in windy and dry conditions before the weather alert was issued for the locality.

“The Wallaroos…(were) evacuated from their hotel rooms in the evening due to active tornadoes in the region,” the statement read.

“Players and staff managed to return to their rooms after an hour, although the tornado warning remained in effect until 11pm local time.”

The USA’s National Weather Service has issued an ongoing alert for the region, with both states, Kansas and Missouri, situated within the recognised ‘tornado alley’ located in the Great Plains of the United States.

Severe storms and tornadoes have already inflicted damage south of the Kansas City area, leaving over 8,000 residents without power.

When addressing the media, Samantha Wood recounted the match in Sacramento, describing the “shock” of competing amid heavy rain and storms.

“It was quite a shock having to warm up, only to be called back off the field,” the scrumhalf reflected.

“You’re drenched and then have to go through that again. I think we adapted very well, but it was a huge surprise for us.

“It felt like we were simply sitting and waiting, conserving energy and hoping the game would proceed.”

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“There were moments when some of us thought, ‘I’m not sure the game will happen.’ So, having the opportunity to play was fantastic,” she said.

The Wallaroos are slated to face the United States this Saturday in Kansas City.

However, the match is at risk of being cancelled or rescheduled due to ongoing severe weather alerts, with damaging winds, hail, tornadoes, and storm conditions projected through to the end of the week when Australia is meant to play.