Winds snap utility poles in Cole County

ELSTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Storms packing high winds snapped utility poles and dropped pea-sized hail in the Elston area of Cole County, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service says it received the report at about 1:45 p.m. That was around the time a line of strong storms passed through parts of Mid-Missouri, touching off severe thunderstorm warnings.

An ABC 17 News crew saw several poles snapped along near Highway 179 and Church Road, east of the Central Missouri Correctional Center.

Hail more than an inch in diameter was also reported in Audrain County. Police in Mexico reported several cars and homes damaged by hail and fallen tree branches. There were no significant power outages or injuries.

Boone County dispatchers also sent out a public alert Thursday afternoon saying Route OO near Hallsville had closed because of a downed line.

Parts of Mid-Missouri remained under a severe thunderstorm watch at 4 p.m.