MISSOURI GOVERNOR BEGINS PROCESS OF OBTAINING FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that the state has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments for Individual Assistance in numerous counties throughout the state.
A total of 25 counties were a part of the request, including Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne County, following the severe storms and deadly tornadoes that devastated Missouri this past weekend. Officials say this request begins the process of obtaining federal disaster assistance.
Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management officials.
Beginning Thursday, six teams will survey and verify documented damage to determine if Individual Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.
Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FREE MEALS AND CHILDCARE THIS WEEK
The Poplar Bluff School District will be providing childcare and meal services this week beginning on Wednesday.
According to school officials, free bulk meals supplied by Chartwells will be available for pickup for anyone 18 years old or younger from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eugene Field, Lake Road, the Middle School, and Oak Grove. Locations may be changed based on participation.
Poplar Bluff teaching staff will also be providing childcare services beginning Wednesday from 8 am to 3 pm beginning Wednesday at the Middle School for pre-k through 6th grade students. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided.
Parents who wish to utilize the childcare services must fill out a survey that is available at https://forms.gle/gvnr6tQaEPLHJ3q37.
The Poplar Bluff School District Bright Futures organization is also working to connect families with community resources. You can find a link to submit any disaster relief needs at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqEq5Ep5TQFEiIlnEFR57sP0hHFU2AYlSFOIfY4sAGyTm7ag/viewform.
DAMAGE SURVEY REPORT RELEASED FOR POPLAR BLUFF EF-3 TORNADO
The National Weather Service in Paducah has released the preliminary damage service report for the EF-3 Tornado that killed one person and caused significant damage in Poplar Bluff.
According to the report, the EF-3 tornado started in western Butler County along County Road 462. It moved east-northeast along County Road 450. Officials say that some of the worst damage was located along here with one house being completely leveled resulting in 1 fatality.
The tornado then crossed Highway 67 and hit a mobile home park on the west side of Poplar Bluff. As it moved through Poplar Bluff, it produced mainly roof damage to homes and businesses.
Hundreds of trees were also snapped or uprooted along the path. It crossed Highway 60 and continued northeast to Rombauer.
Significant damage was noted along Highway T where at least one home was completely leveled. The tornado had peak winds of 145 miles per hour.
The report says it is unknown at this time if the tornado extended even further northeast and possibly connected with the Fisk tornado.
EF-2 TORNADO REPORTED IN RIPLEY AND BUTLER COUNTIES
Tornado surveys continue to come in from the weekend’s storms.
The National Weather Service in Paducah says that an EF-2 tornado crossed the state line shortly before 11 pm Friday night five miles north of Maynard in Randolph County.
The tornado travelled over 25 miles, crossing into Ripley and Butler Counties, during the 28 minutes it was on the ground.
Along FF Highway southeast of Poynor, one person was slightly injured when their manufactured home was pushed and overturned. Traveling northeast, the tornado became up to 500 yards wide at some points, causing widespread severe damages to hundreds of trees across Ripley County.
Several homes and outbuildings were damaged by falling trees as well.
After crossing into Butler County, the tornado traveled north-northeast. Along F Highway in western Butler County, a couple homes suffered major roof damage, including uplift of most of the roof decking.
The tornado lifted as it approached County Road 480 and the Lone Hill community.
NO INJURIES REPORTED FROM CORNING AREA TORNADO
An EF-2 tornado caused damage to numerous buildings in Clay County Friday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, the tornado was connected to the previously reported tornado in Reyno.
Once it entered Clay County, a power pole was destroyed on County Road 112 and six empty grain bins were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved northeast, producing scattered tree damage as it crossed County Roads 110 and 125.
A center irrigation pivot was overturned and several power poles were snapped where the tornado crossed Highway 67, approximately one mile west of the Corning Municipal Airport.
An outbuilding was damaged near Highway 67, spreading metal debris in the field north of the airport. The tornado lifted near the intersection of County Roads 147 and 154.
It had peak winds of around 120 miles per hour. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
EF-2 TORNADO DAMAGED NUMEROUS HOMES IN THE KENNETT AREA
Numerous homes in the Kennett area received damage from a tornado that crossed Dunklin and Pemiscot Counties Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, an EF-2 Tornado touched down shortly before 1 am along State Highway A between County Roads 516 and 526.
The tornado moved northeast causing numerous homes to suffer roof damage north of US Highway 412 and the South Bypass, along State Route VV, East 7th Street, and South Anthony Street.
As the tornado crossed the intersection of Highway 412 and Highway 25, additional wooden power poles were damaged, trees were uprooted, and damage was caused to several businesses and a motel.
The tornado continued northeast and a small barn outbuilding was destroyed as the tornado crossed the Dunklin and Pemiscot County line.
The tornado intensified along County Road 268, where multiple concrete electrical poles were either snapped or broken. The tornado lifted to the southwest of County Road 221 near Homestown.
The total path length was 19.63 miles and the tornado had estimated peak winds of 120 miles per hour.
EF-2 TORNADO WITH PEAK WINDS OF 135 MILES PER HOUR CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN WALNUT GROVE AREA OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
An EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 miles per hour carved through Clay County Friday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, the tornado developed just east of Knobel at 11:53 pm, crossing Highway 90 and snapping several power poles.
As the tornado approached the Walnut Grove community, it began to widen and intensify. Several outbuildings were destroyed at the intersection of County Road 250 and Highway 135. Just to the east of Highway 135, a large metal building structure was destroyed, a steel-reinforced awning was lifted and tossed, and several pieces of heavy farm machinery were overturned.
The tornado weakened as it crossed open farmland, lifting near County Road 245 at 12:02 am.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNATED AS A MISSOURI PURPLE STAR DISTRICT
A southeast Missouri school district is being honored for its support of members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Risco R-2 is one of nine school districts across the state to be designated as a 2025 Purple Star School District.
The Purple Star School designation is awarded to military-friendly local education agencies that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military — including active duty, National Guard or Reserve members, and military veterans.
