Storms spawn warnings, cause little damage around Cape Girardeau

Storms that passed through Southeast Missouri on Monday prompted a tornado warning in Bollinger County and severe thunderstorm warnings throughout the area but apparently caused no major damage.

The Cape Girardeau and Bollinger county sheriff's departments had no reports of major damage shortly after the storms passed. The line touched off thunderstorm warnings in nearly every county surrounding Cape Girardeau County, and led to a tornado warning in Bollinger County after radar indicated a storm capable of making a twister.

Winds up to 70 mph were reported in other areas of Southeast Missouri, such as Poplar Bluff and Stoddard County, according to National Weather Service reports.

Jim Bollinger of Bollinger County Emergency Management said gusts of up to 60 mph were reported there, along with pea- to marble-size hail.

Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management director Dick Knaup said winds in the county peaked at 30 to 40 mph, and isolated small hail was reported. A Cape Girardeau weather station reported 0.52 inches of rain.

A thunderstorm watch remained in effect for Southeast Missouri until 4 p.m.