Spotters report funnel cloud in Cape Girardeau County

EDITOR'S NOTE: The cloud in the photo hasn't been verified as a funnel cloud by a meteorologist.

A funnel cloud that accompanied a tornado warning Wednesday evening in Cape Girardeau County reportedly was seen by several people.

A thunderstorm moves south of Cape Girardeau as seen looking from Notre Dame Regional High School Wednesday, June 26. (Adam Vogler)

Preliminary storm reports submitted to the National Weather Service said by about 8 p.m. there were "about a half dozen" reports of a funnel cloud moving up and down in northern Cape Girardeau County.

Reports followed about 20 minutes later of a funnel cloud over Jackson.

The storm that spawned the funnel cloud sparked a tornado warning at 7:40 p.m. for the northwestern part of the county. The warning was extended and the southern part of the county was included. At least two rounds of sirens were heard in Cape Girardeau -- once when the warning was first issued, and again about 8:15 p.m., when it was extended for another 30 minutes. The warning expired at 9:15 p.m.

The weather service received numerous reports from emergency responders and trained spotters of a funnel cloud over Jackson about 8:20 p.m. County emergency management personnel saw a funnel cloud at Center Junction at 8:23 p.m., and spotters reported seeing a funnel cloud near Notre Dame Regional High School on Route K about 10 minutes later.

The same storm dropped hail larger than quarter size in Perry County, according to preliminary reports.

A thunderstorm moves into Jackson, Mo., as seen looking north from the intersection Independence Street and Farmington Road Wednesday, June 26. (Adam Vogler)

A thunderstorm moves into Jackson, Mo., as seen looking north from the intersection Jackson Boulevard and East Lane Wednesday, June 26. (Adam Vogler)

A funnel cloud also was sighted near Old Appleton and Oak Ridge, though it wasn't clear whether it was the same funnel cloud seen over Jackson.

The National Weather Service received no initial reports of major damage in Southeast Missouri.