Trees down in Mid-Missouri after storms roll through

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Branches and trees were down around Mid-Missouri after storms rolled through the area on Friday.

The threat of high winds and hail damage prompted the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team to issue a Weather Alert Day for Friday. Most of Mid-Missouri was in tornado watch on Friday evening. Gov. Mike Kehoe had preemptively declared a state of emergency on Friday afternoon.

Thousands of people lost power, particularly in the Lake of the Ozarks area, but strong winds went through much of the area.

The Stover Police Department had told ABC 17 News at 9:05 p.m. that Highway 52 was closed at the city’s eastern border through Versailles.

Cole County Emergencies Services wrote in a Friday night press release that downed trees and utilities lines were reported throughout the county.

“During the height of the storm, a bus transporting students from a southwestern school district was entering Cole County,” Chief Eric Hoy wrote in the release. “As a precautionary measure, the bus was directed to a safe location at the Cole County Sheriff’s Department. Cole County Emergency Services personnel assisted in coordinating temporary lodging for the group following the storm.”

Additionally, trees were seen down in Fulton and Hartsburg.