Widespread damages reported, power outages remain

SIKESTON -- Utility crews worked on Wednesday to restore the widespread power outages resulting from the region's severe storms earlier in the day.

Around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday strong winds downed power lines and trees, bent metal of roofs, trailers and other structures, but no injuries of residents in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard Counties were reported to emergency personnel.

"Sikeston DPS is glad to report no one within the city of Sikeston was injured in the storms overnight," said Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety. "The other communities affected by the storm are in our thoughts."

At least one person was reportedly killed in Perryville after a confirmed tornado struck, and another person was killed in Crossville, Ill., late Tuesday.

"We have received various reports of damage to property, downed trees, downed utility lines and intermediate power outages," Broom said.

About 5:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sikeston DPS responded to assist Miner Police Department at Motel 6, located on Interstate Drive in Miner, where the roof was blown off the building. No one was injured and as a safety measure, the motel was evacuated, according to Sikeston DPS reports.

Part of the roof was blown off of the Sikeston DPS fire station on Ables Road, according to DPS. Several homes and businesses also suffered roof damage.

Widespread damage was reported in New Madrid County, according to Julia York with the New Madrid Communications Center.

About 5 a.m. Wednesday emergency crews responded to 52 Green Croft in New Madrid County where a trailer was blown in, and two people were temporarily trapped inside, according to Sikeston DPS reports. Sikeston DPS assisted Matthews Fire Department and New Madrid County Ambulance with freeing the residents, who were uninjured.

A shed wrapped around a pole on Highway EE at Highway 61, York said. There were two 18-wheeler rollovers on Interstate 55, she added.

"Four utility poles were broken behind AC Riley Cotton Gin," York said.

Several trees and limbs across the road along Highway 61 have been reported. Many reports of vehicles off the road have also been made, York said.

"Thankfully, we have not had any reports of injuries," York said.

York estimated the Center fielded storm-related calls constantly from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. today.

"New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, New Madrid Police, the Highway Patrol and others in the surrounding area have pulled together and worked through this together," York said.

Dispatchers with Scott County and Mississippi County sheriff's departments in Benton and Charleston, respectively, said downed trees and power lines were among the reports received. They have also not received reports of injuries.

According to a dispatcher with the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office in Bloomfield, the roof of the Town and Country Mart in Bernie was completely torn off. A roof was also pulled off of another building in Dexter. There were many downed trees and power lines but no one injured, the dispatcher said.

"Sikeston BMU is reporting that all circuits are back up, but there still may be some areas without power," Broom said.

BMU requested if someone is without power and they don't see any of their representatives in the area working, to report the outage. They also ask if residents are out of power and have reported it not to call as they are working to have your power restored.

"Sikeston Public Works is busy cleaning up downed trees and we asked that all our citizens be patient and report any downed power lines and to stay clear of those areas," Broom said.

As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at least 8,000 customers of Ameren Missouri and SEMO Electric in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard Counties remained without power, according to the outage reports on their company websites.

Several school districts including New Madrid County R-1, Charleston R-1, East Prairie R-2, Richland R-1 Risco R-2 and Kelso C-7 New Hamburg were forced to close Wednesday due to the outages. Scott County Central in rural Sikeston delayed the start of school for two hours.

"Sikeston DPS would also like to remind everyone we are entering the spring storm season and that's when we experience our most severe weather," Broom said. "Please take this time to prepare yourself and purchase a weather radio, have a plan of action, keep informed of weather changes and always take weather warnings seriously."

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