Storm that damaged property in Southeast Missouri classified a tornado

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A damage assessment survey by National Weather Service personnel from Paducah, Ky., has determined an EF-1 tornado hit Ripley County on Wednesday, the Daily American Republic newspaper reported.

The funnel cloud dipped down two miles southeast of Doniphan along Highway 142 at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. The peak wind was at 100 mph, according to a National Weather Service report released over the weekend.

Tornado damage began on the south side of Highway 142 and continued for approximately 1.5 miles to the northeast along Ripley County Road 142 E-20. The path had an average width of 180 yards.

Additional straight line thunderstorm wind damage continued for another two miles and averaged about a half mile wide.

Top Quality Rentals and Sales, a business owned by Jim Fletcher, was severely damaged. Insulation, metal roofing and wall panels were blown a few hundred yards away.

One man suffered minor injuries when his 16-foot camper trailer adjacent to the business overturned. Frank Curry, who was a night watchman at the business, was treated at Ripley County Memorial Hospital and released, according to Ripley County Emergency Management Director Lance Pigg.

"He had lacerations on his head," Pigg said. "The Red Cross put him up in a motel."

The National Weather Service also reported a half dozen barns or other outbuildings were damaged along with more than a dozen trees.

Ozark Border Electric Cooperative Manager Stan Estes reported 400 customers in Ripley County lost power.

"We lost a double circuit pole," Estes said. Power was restored within five hours.

Estes also reported 30 customers north of South Wilby on the west side of Black River lost power during a severe thunderstorm. This area is along Butler County Road 525 north of Poplar Bluff.

"An insulator broke off from a bolt," Estes said. It could have been caused by a tree limb falling on the line.

Limbs reportedly fell on fences along Route O north of Poplar Bluff.

No tornado was reported in Butler County, but there was major hail damage to vehicles and roofs on the west side of Butler County, especially in the Stringtown area.

Western District Commissioner Jeff Darnell reported hail knocked dents all over his son's pickup, including "more than 100 in the hood." The hail also put dents in his wife's vehicle and damaged the shingles on his roof and the roof of his parents, Ted and Ruth Darnell.

"The hail covered the ground 1 inch deep and some piles were 3 or 4 inches deep," Darnell said. "My parents have lived here all their lives and had not seen hail that bad."

County Treasurer Joe Humphrey said "ping pong ball size hail damaged pretty much my whole truck."

Sandy Trout, who works in the circuit court clerk's office, said hail damage to her Ford Explorer was estimated at $4,200.

Auto body companies and insurance adjusters are expected to be very busy this week, giving estimates and handling claims for hail damage to vehicles and roofs.