Deadly tornadoes devastate southeast Missouri county; Parson speaks at area high school
BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Parts of Bollinger County were hit with severe storms early Wednesday morning, as tornadoes killed multiple people overnight in the rural southeastern Missouri county.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado was at least an EF-2. Missouri State Highway Patrol said there are five confirmed deaths and multiple people recovering in the hospital.
A tornado touched down around 3:30 a.m. and moved through a rural area of Bollinger County, about 50 miles south of St. Louis, Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri State Highway Patrol told The Associated Press.
The tornado lasted about 15 seconds, but David McCormick said it felt like even less.
"Just, house started rumbling, about 10 or 15 seconds later, it was over with, just quiet," McCormick said. "Walked outside after it got light, now you see what I saw."
McCormick's house was untouched by the tornado, but his neighbor's trailer was completely destroyed.
"You’re just seeing the debris of a house and two trailers, that’s what that is," McCormick said. "Just stick by stick, board by board."
McCormick said he feels blessed that his family is safe and knows his community will overcome this.
"They were here this morning, they’ll come together again," McCormick said. "They always do and they always will."
Overnight, parts of Missouri experienced damaging severe storms, and we’ve received reports of a tornado in Bollinger County. At this time, fatalities have been confirmed and others have been injured. pic.twitter.com/Dfy8FXfSLD
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) April 5, 2023
Gov. Mike Parson visited the area Wednesday afternoon and briefly spoke to the press. He was there to assess the damage with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E officials.
"Right now it’s about the families, it’s about the loved ones, it’s about picking up the pieces," Parson said.
First responders from all over the state gathered at Woodland High School, where the governor spoke, to help the community of about 200 people.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley also came to Mable Hill to assess the damage.
"Small town in Missouri, you’ll find out that everyone will start coming together at a very early time to help one another out," Parson said.
Highway Patrol and other state leaders are sharing pictures and videos of damage on social media.
Our prayers are with all those affected by severe storms in Bollinger County and across parts of Southeast Missouri. Thank you to @MSHPTrooperE and local emergency personnel for their ongoing recovery efforts to assist Missourians. @MoSEMA_ @MoPublicSafety pic.twitter.com/OfZjJKsvuF
— Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (@LtGovMikeKehoe) April 5, 2023
Check back for updates to this developing story.
