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The Aftermath: Cleanup and power restoration continue after severe weather rips through Sikeston
SIKESTON — Forty-eight hours after a severe weather system ripped through Sikeston and other parts of the area early Sunday, May 26, city officials and residents continued to clean up debris while electrical professionals worked to restore power for many who remained without.
About 7:20 a.m. Sunday, May 26, a storm line blew in to the area, and Sikeston’s storm sirens were activated due to the possible tornado coming through the area and town, according to Capt. Derick Wheetley with Sikeston DPS.
“The system entered the southwest part of Sikeston around the Shelby-McDougal street area and kind of lifted and went just west of the station to the 300-400 blocks of Gladys/Benton and Edmondson streets,” Wheetley said.
From there, it seemed like the system went to Sikeston High School and across Main Street. Many sites near the high school received heavy damage, he said. The system also appeared to have kept a straight line down Ables and everything from Malone Avenue to Ables Road received major damage, including VFW Stadium, Wheetley said.
On Wednesday, May 29, a survey team with the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, will be in Sikston to survey storm damage and determine if the system was a tornado and what category if it was a tornado.
By 7:30 a.m., DPS sent out an all-call for all off-duty personnel, he said.
“We set up the emergency operations center at DPS headquarters and ran command from that location,” Wheetley said. “The first three hours we were doing checks on homes that had trees or major damages We received several calls for gas leaks.”
There was an incident at Malco Cinema where smoke was showing around 2 p.m. Sunday after one of HVAC units had been flipped on the roof and gas leaked. However, the issue was resolved with minimal damage.
Since Sunday DPS has worked closely with City Public Works, BMU, gas companies, etc. to address the numerous calls the dispatch center has received, Wheetley said. Morehouse and Scott County Rural Fire provided mutual aid for Sikeston.
Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities urged residents to stay away from downed power lines as several poles and lines were down across roadways and homes. Crews have worked all day every day since Sunday to restore power for Sikeston residents.
By noon Monday, 60% of Sikeston’s power was restored which was up slightly on Tuesday.
Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow said officials greatly appreciate the support the city has had so far.
“Our main concern right now is to get the power access to all the neighborhoods,” Turnbow said Tuesday. “We ask the citizens of Sikeston to please be a little patient. We’re still about 30% without power, and we are working diligently with BMU.”
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, in his capacity as Missouri’s Acting Governor, traveled on Tuesday to Sikeston to assess storm damage in the area and better learn what state resources may be needed to help impacted communities respond and recover.
Kehoe was joined by State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard as well as city, county and state officials.
As of 11 a.m. Monday, the citywide assessment included 139 major damage to structures; 131 minor damage to structures; and 6 moderate damages to structures, Wheetley said, adding he expects that number will grow. Damage is based on FEMA guidelines, he said.
There were no flattened houses in Sikeston there were many downed power lines, uprooted trees and roofs, vehicles and homes damaged, he said.
“Sikeston lost a lot of big trees this go-around,” Wheetley said.
By order of Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow and Sikeston DPS Director James McMillen, a curfew was created Sunday and in effect for the city limits of Sikeston until further notice. Times of curfew are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will be strictly enforced.
The curfew does not apply to those involved in repairs, demolition, home owners or property owners on their own property. Anyone who traveling to or from work, medical or other legitimate reasons are exempt from the curfew.
As of late Tuesday, the curfew remained in effect.
The curfew was implemented for safety reasons, Wheetley said. Some areas remain without power and downed lines. When nighttime falls and there are no street lights, it’s harder to spot some of those fallen lines and debris so the curfew helps keep people away from those dangerous areas, he explained. Also, less traffic helps the crews be able to work faster.
Elsewhere in Scott County, damage was reported in Crowder, Diehlstadt and Vanduser. Dexter and Ripley County also reported damage.
Scott County Sheriff Wes Drury said a bridge on county road 321 near Commerce was completely washed out. Z Highway opened late Monday and had been closed due to poles over the road. County roads 538 and 539 were hit pretty hard, too, Drury said, adding that countywide damage include roofs, power lines and trees.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the community and surrounding areas have offered assistance to those in need.
Wheetley said some local churches have organized efforts to feed utility crews, first responders and individuals affected by the storm. He’s also seen some teenagers trying to clear off the road in a subdivision.
Late Sunday the American Red Cross set up a shelter at the YMCA of Southeast Missouri in Sikeston. The shelter is up and running and has 40 beds with food arrangements being made.
Anyone who is displaced due to the storm can contact 1-800-733-2767 (1-800-RED CROSS) right away and the Red Cross will assess their situation individually.
The City of Sikeston on Sunday opened up the City Compost Site on Compress Road so tree debris can be taken there by residents.
Those with emergency situations in Sikeston should call 911; those with non-emergency situations should call 573-471-4711.
Gina Curtis contributed to this story.