Severe Weather Leaves Death and Destruction

Severe storms tore thru parts of Missouri overnight. The Lake area dodged the bullet, but it was a close call:

Mike Griffin at the National Weather Service in Springfield

The Lebanon area has been hard hit. Roofs were reportedly ripped off the Lowe’s Garden Center there, and the Bennett Springs fire station. Tractor trailers were overturned on Highway 32. There are reports of some injuries in Lebanon and elsewhere in Leclede County.  At least one person is dead after a possible tornado hit a mobile home park south of Buffalo. Significant damage to homes and businesses is also reported in Edgar Springs, about twenty miles south of Rolla. Injuries are reported in Branson, where an apparent tornado moved thru the downtown area, heavily damaging some of the theaters, hotels and other businesses on the strip.

We have received no reports of any significant damage in the Lake area.