Overnight storms cause damage to residences in Mexico

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

Severe storms woke up many people in Mexico as they moved through around 4 a.m. this Friday morning.

The storms woke up Mexico resident Bertha Long.

"There was this big boom and I just jumped straight up," Long said. "It did really scare me and I didn't know what was going on."

The Mexico Public Safety Department said the wind caused many fallen tree limbs and broken power lines.

Power outages shut down two traffic signals and railroad crossing arms on Morris St. MoDOT installed temporary signs which directed morning traffic and the signals were back up by this afternoon.

There was also damage on Calhoun St. near Bolivar St, where a large tree branch knocked down three utility poles.

Central Missouri Ameren Director Chip Webb said crews from Jefferson City, Moberly, Booneville, and Eldon came out to Calhoun St. to help. He said as far as the scale of damage, he is confident they will restore power quickly because "this is routine for us."

As of 4 p.m. this afternoon, Calhoun St. was still closed.

Long, who lives on that street, said she was left without power and had damage near her home.

"I've never seen this much," Long said. "It tore down the telephone poles and everything."

Mexico Public Safety said in an email that as of 4 p.m. Singleton Rd. was still closed for tree removal. It also said private properties are continuing to clean up fallen limbs Friday afternoon.

The department said with the exception of some individual homes, power has been restored in all widespread areas.