More than $6.2 million in rebuilding costs reported after Jefferson City tornado

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The cost of the tornado that left hundreds of Jefferson City buildings damaged continues to rise more than five months after the storm.

According to the Jefferson City Building Regulations Division, 196 commercial and residential tornado damage permits have been issued, totaling $6,224,015 in project costs.

Of those permits, 51 are for commercial buildings, totaling about $4.1 million. Another 145 of the permits are for residential properties, totaling nearly $2.1 million in project costs.

But the numbers continue to grow. Building official for Jefferson City Larry Burkhardt said the number of storm-related building permits broke 200 on Tuesday after eight more demolition permits were issued.

"We had over 500 buildings that were affected by the tornado," Burkhardt said, "So if we only have around 200 (permits), what happens to the rest? So it'll keep coming."

Burkhardt said the rebuilding process could take more than two years. "It takes time, Rome wasn't built in a day, and Jefferson City won't be rebuilt in a day."

He said his office's workload has doubled since May 23, the day after the EF-3 rated tornado ripped apart sections of the city.

"We have our normal work and finally insurance is starting to settle up with property owners in the damaged area," Burkhardt said. "We get kind of a wave when that happens.

Among the most expensive projects are remodeling and repairing the Burger King restaurant at 1923 Christy Drive at a cost of $320,500 and nearly $390,000 to replace the roof of Community Christian Church at 409 Ellis Blvd. The largest costs were a new roof and siding valued at $590,000 at Riback Supply, 2027 Christy Drive, and a new roof and construction at Capitol City Cheer, 1911 Ford St., worth $502,000.

Check back for more on this developing story and watch ABC 17 News at 6 for a full report.