$2.1 million in storm damage estimated for Rolla electric system

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

FEMA has estimated that there is $2.1 million in damage to the electric system in Rolla, roughly a week-and-a-half after a tornado devastated the region, according to a Tuesday evening social media post from Rolla Municipal Utilities.

Power outages have plagued city residents since the outset of the storm. City Utilities wrote in the post that “all customers that can have their power restored are restored in Rolla.” The city wrote that 8,000 of its 10,000 customers were initially without power after the storm.

“We have several customers (20 give or take) with either damage to their service entrance or substantial damage to their building where we are waiting on permits and city inspections.  Some buildings are a total loss and not included in that estimate. And we get a steady stream of other damage to fix turned in by customers or found as we drive around,” the post says.

RMU wrote that the estimated damage to its electric system is expected to grow.

It also wrote that utility crews from other communities -- which includes Columbia, Fulton and Macon, among other cities – may return home on Wednesday. Matt Nestor, of Columbia City Utilities, said earlier this week that crews were expected to be in Rolla until the end of the week. Columbia Utilities spokesman Jason West wrote in an email that an updated schedule will be available later.

RMU also wrote that a part of the roof of its service department blew off and that five trucks were damaged, as well as a barrier wall near a substation and a transformer.