Severe storms and tornado leave path of destruction in northern Barry and southern Lawrence counties
May 9, 2024
Updated May 15, 2024
Updated May 15, 2024
By Adriana Keeton, [email protected]
Photo: Central Crossing Fire Protection District Facebook
Severe thunderstorms and an EF-1 category multi-vortex tornado left a path of destruction last Wednesday evening along Hwy. U.S. 60 from Monett east to Aurora.
Between the hours of 4:25 p.m. and 4:46 p.m. on May 8, strong thunderstorms producing winds as high as 95 MPH, up to golf ball size hail stones, and an EF-1 tornado caused downed power lines and trees, and damage to businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. Only minor injuries were reported by first responders and no patients were transported to the hospital.
According to Monett Emergency Management Director Kelley McMillan, McDonald’s and Braum’s did report sign damage. No major business or structural damage was reported. Power was lost at approximately fifty residences due to downed power lines, but was restored quickly in the city of Monett. McMillan did state one vehicle on Chapel Drive received extensive damage due to a down power line. South Park did take quite a bit of damage with downed and snapped trees and McMillan reported minor damage to the South Park Casino building. Cox Monett Hospital reported uprooted trees.
Land owners along Hwy. U.S. 60 between Monett and Aurora reported damage to outbuildings and downed and snapped trees and one mobile home was flipped over. A National Weather Service survey confirmed that the EF-1 tornado occurred southwest of Monett in northern Barry County and tracked northeast into southern Lawrence County before lifting southeast of Aurora. The tornado path length was 10.57 miles with a max width of 150 yards.
The Aurora Rural Fire Protection District reported that just after 5 p.m., the department was dispatched to the area of Hwy. 39 and Lawrence 2230 for a tree on a propane tank as well as reports of massive damage in the area. After arriving to the area and evaluating the magnitude of damage, Aurora RFPD incident command was established near 18392 Lawrence 2230 where the department requested assistance from other local agencies including Mercy EMS, Aurora Fire Department, Purdy Fire Protection District, Central Crossing Fire Protection District, and Pierce City Fire Protection District. Crews began to survey the area, searched damaged structures and cleared trees with the use of heavy equipment and 4-wheelers provided by local residences, local companies, and mutual aid.
Now is a good time to remind everyone to register storm shelters with the Barry County E-911. To register a storm shelter, visit https://barrycountye911.gov and click on the storm shelter registration form. Download, complete the form and return it the Barry County Emergency Services E911 at 4011 Main Street in Cassville.
Between the hours of 4:25 p.m. and 4:46 p.m. on May 8, strong thunderstorms producing winds as high as 95 MPH, up to golf ball size hail stones, and an EF-1 tornado caused downed power lines and trees, and damage to businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. Only minor injuries were reported by first responders and no patients were transported to the hospital.
According to Monett Emergency Management Director Kelley McMillan, McDonald’s and Braum’s did report sign damage. No major business or structural damage was reported. Power was lost at approximately fifty residences due to downed power lines, but was restored quickly in the city of Monett. McMillan did state one vehicle on Chapel Drive received extensive damage due to a down power line. South Park did take quite a bit of damage with downed and snapped trees and McMillan reported minor damage to the South Park Casino building. Cox Monett Hospital reported uprooted trees.
Land owners along Hwy. U.S. 60 between Monett and Aurora reported damage to outbuildings and downed and snapped trees and one mobile home was flipped over. A National Weather Service survey confirmed that the EF-1 tornado occurred southwest of Monett in northern Barry County and tracked northeast into southern Lawrence County before lifting southeast of Aurora. The tornado path length was 10.57 miles with a max width of 150 yards.
The Aurora Rural Fire Protection District reported that just after 5 p.m., the department was dispatched to the area of Hwy. 39 and Lawrence 2230 for a tree on a propane tank as well as reports of massive damage in the area. After arriving to the area and evaluating the magnitude of damage, Aurora RFPD incident command was established near 18392 Lawrence 2230 where the department requested assistance from other local agencies including Mercy EMS, Aurora Fire Department, Purdy Fire Protection District, Central Crossing Fire Protection District, and Pierce City Fire Protection District. Crews began to survey the area, searched damaged structures and cleared trees with the use of heavy equipment and 4-wheelers provided by local residences, local companies, and mutual aid.
Now is a good time to remind everyone to register storm shelters with the Barry County E-911. To register a storm shelter, visit https://barrycountye911.gov and click on the storm shelter registration form. Download, complete the form and return it the Barry County Emergency Services E911 at 4011 Main Street in Cassville.
