Osage City closed to the public following severe storms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Severe storms Saturday afternoon have lead to the closure of Osage City to the public, according to Cole County Emergency Services.
CCES Chief Eric Hoy said the city will close down roads leading into the city for only people who live there because of debris in the road and damages to structures.
Following the afternoon storms, emergency services went around checking on people in the area. Hoy said there were no reported injuries.
Several area public safety agencies responded to a water rescue in the Osage River around 3:20 p.m., according to a press release. A boat was damaged during the storm, and the seven people on board abandoned the vessel and swam to a sandbar.
According to the release, all seven people declined medical treatment once safely rescued.
"We've had no reports of any injuries or folks that require assistance, but due to the damage, we're taking our time to do a primary survey to make sure that there is nobody in need," Hoy said.
Annie Willis, who lives just outside of Osage City, said the storm seemed to come out of nowhere.
"I couldn't see anything at all for a few minutes. I looked out, and it was just white. And then I came out, and my barn was collapsed, and things torn up, but not my house. It seemed to spare my house," Willis said.
Osage City is in Eastern Cole County and Cole County Emergency Services said its responding to the area along with other public safety partners.
Jefferson City Police also posted to social media that traffic was delayed in the area of Route J and Algoa Road due to debris.
The city of Versailles was also hit with storms. An ABC 17 News reporter saw multiple downed trees in the cemetery.
Carport in the driveway of a home on South Oak Street in Versailles.
Versailles Emergency Management coordinator Ashley Bland confirmed a carport hit the roof of a house on South Oak Street. The carport was blown from about a block away, and it also appeared to be tangled in wires attached to a utility pole.
Debbie Delph, a Versailles resident who was outside attending a booth at a flea market when the storm hit, said the storm was violent.
"We thought it was a tornado, we really did, because it was that strong. Between the storm coming through and the wind, it was more like a tornado," she said.
