E-F1 tornado strikes Sikeston, leaving significant damage but no major injuries

SIKESTON — An EF1 tornado in Sikeston was confirmed early Monday, March 17 by the National Weather Service.

According to the National Weather Service, the EF1 tornado struck at 1:05 a.m. Saturday, March 15 with peak winds of 105 mph, a maximum path width of 50 yards and length of two to three miles across the south side of Sikeston. Streets majorly impacted in that area were Woodruff, Plantation, Bucklin Circle, Lawrence, Gen. George E. Day Parkway and Clearwater.

According to the Weather Service, a tornado is classified as EF1 when it causes moderate damage and has winds of 86-100 mph.

Sikeston’s storm sirens alerted residents of the severe weather and tornado.

“The damage stretched from the apartments on Lawrence toward the strip mall that contains Ollie’s, Hibbett Sports and Harbor Freight across South Main to Lowes down Gen. George E. Day, east toward Pine and continued a slight northeast track,” said Capt. Jon Broom, public information officer for Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

One of the most damaged structures in Sikeston was Delta South Nursing Center and Rehabilitation Center located on Gen. George E. Day Parkway. The building’s roof and front entrance were damaged. Residents had to be evacuated and temporarily relocated to other nearby facilities.

“Many residents along Gen. George E. Day, Pine, Clearwater and Plantation received roof damage, downed trees and such,” Broom said. “The heating/cooling units were blown off the roof onto the parking lot at the strip mall and there were some broken windows. There was a power line that was downed on South Main that left residents and business without power until Sunday. The batters’s eye, or outfield fence at VFW stadium off Malone Avenue at Mitchell was also blown over.”

The door at Lowe’s Home Improvement on South Main Street blew off, and some of its septic tanks for sale in the parking lot blew away. Windows at the Malco Sikeston Cinema Grill on Cinema drive behind Walmart were blown out as were windows at Deerfield Village Town Homes apartments on Lawrence Street.

“One person was injured from broken glass but no fatalities,” Broom said.

Much of the town was without power early Saturday, and by Monday Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities crews had restored most of the power with the exception of a few homes.

“Everything was off the roadways by 5:30 a.m. Saturday, and our street department did a great job,” Sikeston Communications Director David Jenkins said. “Everyone was out clearing debris and I was surprised how quickly residents were out working to clean up the debris. People were helping others.”

The Sikeston Yard Waste Disposal Site (compost site) opened Sunday and will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, March 21. It will also be open from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 22.

Debris from the storm will be accepted, including siding and shingles.

“Tree debris, shingles and siding/fencing/lumber must be separated,” Jenkins said. “Please bring tree debris separate in one load, shingles in one load and siding/fencing/lumber in one load.”

The City of Sikeston also encouraged anyone who is hiring someone to remove limbs or do any other work to check with the Sikeston Collector’s Office at (573) 471-2193 to ensure that the contractor has a current business license. This not only protects the homeowner but it is also required for any permits that will be necessary for repairs

Here are some tips for citizens: ask the company to provide proof of a valid City of Sikeston business license; ask if the company is insured and to provide proof. Take a photo of the insurance if possible; clarify who will obtain permits, if necessary; get quotes in writing; get contact information for business hours and after hour call outs. To obtain a permit, contact the City of Sikeston Community Development Department at (573) 475-3743.

“Overall, we were very fortunate,” Jenkins said.