Fallen trees, downed power lines, blocked roads and power outages were rampant in the wake of mid-morning severe storms that rolled through the Springfield area beginning in the 9 o'clock hour Tuesday.
Trees are uprooted and branches down across the area. Local storm reports to the National Weather Service office in Springfield include homes damaged and gone near Freistatt, damage to a barn near Bois D'Arc, a semi that had blown over on I-44 near Springfield and a house half collapsed near Scenic and Sunshine.
Springfield firefighters were sawing up a massive hardwood that fell across Delmar just east of Kimbrough. A tree was blocking Washington Ave. just south of Division.
And similar scenarios were happening across the region.
Strong winds and possible tornadoes were responsible for the damage.
"We've seen widespread winds of 60 to 80 mph with 90 mph measured here at the airport earlier this morning," said Kelsey Angle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Springfield.
He said storm survey assessment teams are out across the area looking at damage to determine if there were any tornadoes. Some KSMU listeners shared videos of what look like a tornado in north Springfield. The National Weather Service advised around 9:40 a.m. that a likely tornado may have passed through the Fremont Hills-Rogersville area.
Angle said they should know in the next couple of days what caused the damage.
Power outages
Power lines were knocked down, and numerous people were without power after the storm — some outages continue.
City Utilities spokesperson Joel Alexander said the storms caused widespread power outages throughout the CU service territory. At 1:05 p.m. he said they had confirmed that nearly 50,000 customers were without power, but they were continuing to assess the full impact of the storms.
CU crews are actively assessing damage and restoring power, he said. "Mutual assistance has also been requested to support our response. Our top priority is addressing downed power lines due to the serious safety risk they pose."
He said that, while they are working quickly to restore power to everyone, "due to the widespread nature of the damage, restoration times may be extended, and this may be a prolonged outage for some."
If you are experiencing a power outage, you are asked to report it through the CU MyAccount app, at cityutilities.net or by calling 888-863-9001.
What to do if you see downed power lines or smell natural gas
If you encounter downed power lines, always assume they are energized and stay far away. Report it immediately by calling 417-863-9000 or 911.
To report storm damage other than power outages or downed lines, call the Greene County Public Information Call Center at 417-829-6200.
Alexander said they are also receiving reports of natural gas odors and possible leaks. If you suspect a leak, leave the area and call 911 or CU at 417-863-9000.
Around mid-day, at least three local agencies — the City of Springfield, Greene County Sheriff's Office and Greene County Office of Emergency Management — asked anyone who does not need to be on the roads to stay home and avoid downed power lines.
