STORM DOWNS TREES, CUTS OFF ELECTRICITY

Electricity was cut off to portions of Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., Wednesday afternoon when severe thunderstorms moved through the region.

The National Weather Service reported wind gusts of up to 40 miles an hour and short periods of heavy rain dropping just over an inch of rain on Cape Girardeau. Additional rain overnight was expected to add another 0.10 of an inch.

Trees fell on Route W and on adjoining county roads, and also in the vicinity of Friedheim, Mo., in the county's northwest corner, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department reported.

James Rohde of Friedham said the storm broke little more than a few branches, and lights in his house flickered on and off when the storm passed through about 4 p.m. "Mostly, we just got a lot of rain," he said.

Fallen power lines were reported in the Cape Rock Village area and in Gordonville, Mo.

In Perry County, hail varying from marble-sized to pea-sized was reported, but damage or downed trees did not cause problems, the Perry County Sheriff's Department said.

Scott County had no reports of serious damage, the sheriff's department said.