BENTON - Scott County officials believe a tornado was the cause of some damage near Morley, including damage to the county's E-911 center.
"It was a tornado," said Joe Burton, Scott County E-911 administrator, during Tuesday's county commission meeting.
The E-911 center's roof is leaking now following the storm, Burton said. "We lost several shingles." He estimated winds reached 70-80 mph. Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel said winds had turned over five center pivots in the area.
Burton said the roof probably "can't be patched" as it is "old and decrepit."
Underneath the shingles, however, is tongue-and-groove, inch-and-a-half thick decking, Burton said. "That's a good building."
Commissioners authorized putting the roof repairs out for bid.
Other storm damage around the county was also discussed. "We had a lot of damage to culverts," Priggel said, "and roads."
County road and bridge crews were called out at 3:30 a.m. Monday to clear the storm damage, according to Commissioner Jamie Burger.
"On County Road 237 a culvert washed completely out," he reported. The road is now impassable, Burger said, but has been marked by a nearby resident who managed to stop before ending up in the ditch.
Crews worked until 8 p.m. Monday getting roads open and addressing other storm damage. "And there's still plenty to do," Burger said.
In other Scott County commission business:
* Commissioners accepted the sole bid for a ditch bank mower from Nelson equipment in Sikeston for $4,575.
* The bid to provide the county with banking services was awarded to U.S. Bank in Sikeston which was also awarded the contract last year.