Memorial Weekend storm causes widespread damage in Barry County
May 29, 2024
Story by Adriana Keeton, [email protected]
A short pine, which has overlooked Cassville for over 150 years at the historic Bayless-Salyer House, was destroyed in the weekend storm.
Photo: Adriana Keeton, [email protected] |
The above log home located on Robin Hood Drive in Cassville’s Sherwood Forest was one of many homes destroyed by downed trees.
Photo: Caden Swearingen |
A tree uprooted, falling on a home in the Eagle Rock area, and flipping a propane tank.
Photo: Eagle Rock/Golden/Mano FPD |
Strong storms moved through Barry County early Sunday (May 26) morning causing damage to homes, vehicles, and businesses, with downed trees and power lines blocking many roadways, leaving thousands throughout the county without electricity.
According to Barry County Emergency Coordinator David Compton, the storm which produced consistent 80+ MPH winds and golf ball size hail showed no indication on radar of a tornado.
“We had eyes on the storm for five hours,” said Compton. “It produced tornadoes in Oklahoma for several hours. When it made it to Delaware County, in Oklahoma, it shifted east and south and took the path across Northwest Arkansas, causing the deadly tornadoes in Rogers and Bentonville. We were hit by the north side of that storm. We had spotters out for a few hours before the storm hit, and there was never an indication of a tornado though spin-ups could be a possibility.”
Over 12,500 homes were initially without electricity in Barry County with Barry Electric Cooperative reporting 6,800; Carrol County Cooperative, 4,960; Ozark County Cooperative 1,400; and Liberty Electric, 42.
“The hardest hit areas were Sherwood Forest in Cassville, the Mineral Springs area, Kings River area in Eagle Rock, and Shell Knob, south of YY Hwy.,” Compton added.
Compton did state there were no reported major injuries due to the storm.
Area fire departments and city crews were removing trees from roadways at dawn on Sunday morning, working throughout the day and into the evening across Barry County.
CEO and General Manger of Barry County Cooperative Jennifer McBroom stated crews from five area cooperatives: Ozark, Southwest, Barton County, Laclede County, and New-Mac are assisting Barry Electric Cooperative crews with restoration of electricity in the area, as well as employees with Kiowa Line Builders, who had been assisting the cooperative with pole replacement prior to the storm.
“Crews are working 16-hour shifts, from 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily, to restore electric services,” said McBroom. “We made a lot of progress yesterday (Monday) and have brought the number of outages down to around 3,700.”
Though there is not an available timeline of when all member services will be restored, McBroom stated that there are several hundred individual outages that could take 7-10 days before electricity is restored.
“Crews are working to restore electric services first, and then will begin restoration of fiber optic services,” McBroom added.
The City of Cassville announced Tuesday morning that all building permit fees will be waived for storm damage repairs such as roofs and electrical, but permits will still be required. For more information on permitting, contact Cassville City Hall at 417-847-4441.
Compton has advised residents that have been impacted by the storms to dial 211 to report what kind of damage, how much damage, and insurance information to specialists who are working specifically with Barry County residents. This will allow Barry County Emergency Management to get an impact analysis which will allow them to request funds from the government for public assist.
American Red Cross respite centers have been set up at the Family Life Center, in Cassville, and the Central Crossing Senior Center, in Shell Knob.
According to Barry County Emergency Coordinator David Compton, the storm which produced consistent 80+ MPH winds and golf ball size hail showed no indication on radar of a tornado.
“We had eyes on the storm for five hours,” said Compton. “It produced tornadoes in Oklahoma for several hours. When it made it to Delaware County, in Oklahoma, it shifted east and south and took the path across Northwest Arkansas, causing the deadly tornadoes in Rogers and Bentonville. We were hit by the north side of that storm. We had spotters out for a few hours before the storm hit, and there was never an indication of a tornado though spin-ups could be a possibility.”
Over 12,500 homes were initially without electricity in Barry County with Barry Electric Cooperative reporting 6,800; Carrol County Cooperative, 4,960; Ozark County Cooperative 1,400; and Liberty Electric, 42.
“The hardest hit areas were Sherwood Forest in Cassville, the Mineral Springs area, Kings River area in Eagle Rock, and Shell Knob, south of YY Hwy.,” Compton added.
Compton did state there were no reported major injuries due to the storm.
Area fire departments and city crews were removing trees from roadways at dawn on Sunday morning, working throughout the day and into the evening across Barry County.
CEO and General Manger of Barry County Cooperative Jennifer McBroom stated crews from five area cooperatives: Ozark, Southwest, Barton County, Laclede County, and New-Mac are assisting Barry Electric Cooperative crews with restoration of electricity in the area, as well as employees with Kiowa Line Builders, who had been assisting the cooperative with pole replacement prior to the storm.
“Crews are working 16-hour shifts, from 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily, to restore electric services,” said McBroom. “We made a lot of progress yesterday (Monday) and have brought the number of outages down to around 3,700.”
Though there is not an available timeline of when all member services will be restored, McBroom stated that there are several hundred individual outages that could take 7-10 days before electricity is restored.
“Crews are working to restore electric services first, and then will begin restoration of fiber optic services,” McBroom added.
The City of Cassville announced Tuesday morning that all building permit fees will be waived for storm damage repairs such as roofs and electrical, but permits will still be required. For more information on permitting, contact Cassville City Hall at 417-847-4441.
Compton has advised residents that have been impacted by the storms to dial 211 to report what kind of damage, how much damage, and insurance information to specialists who are working specifically with Barry County residents. This will allow Barry County Emergency Management to get an impact analysis which will allow them to request funds from the government for public assist.
American Red Cross respite centers have been set up at the Family Life Center, in Cassville, and the Central Crossing Senior Center, in Shell Knob.