Tornado touches down

CARUTHERSVILLE - Utility workers are working today to restore power to southern Pemiscot County homes and businesses hit by a tornado Saturday afternoon.

About 6:40 p.m. Saturday, the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department received several 911 calls reporting debris, power and utility lines downed and damage to Car-Mac's Stateline Station and the Raceway station. Officers found at least 40 utility poles snapped along Highway 61, Interstate 55 blocked by a downed power line and debris, irrigation systems overturned and damage to the roofs of the gas stations.

One witness reported sighting a tornado. According to deputies business owners and customers took cover on the floor as the storm hit and several victims described the loud "rumbling of a freight train commonly associated with a passing tornado."

Pemiscot County deputies along with the Pemscot County Emergency Response Team, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cooter Police, Steele Police, Cooter Fire Department and Bragg City Fire Department members along with other emergency personnel began a search of the area. No apparent injuries resulted from the storm.

Area by law enforcement officers located a path which was consistent with that of an F-1 tornado, said Pemiscot County Sheriff Terry Greenwall.

The power to several area residences on Highway 61 south of Route O, along with Car-Mac's station have been without power since the storm. Union Electric said workers hope to have power restored by Monday afternoon.