Woman recounts being trapped by electrical poles during storm

STODDARD COUNTY, Mo. — Doris Nelson experienced firsthand the wrath of Saturday's storm that moved through the area around 5 p.m.

Nelson and her husband, William, had just left their Ray Street home in Dexter, Mo., and were heading south toward Bernie, Mo., on Highway 25 when the skies darkened and the wind picked up.

Winds clocked at 50 mph moved through the area and heavy rains fell along the stretch of Highway 25.

"I was driving along," Doris Nelson said, "and all of the sudden there was a power pole down in the road. It came out of nowhere, and I had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting it."

When the car came to rest, the Nelsons looked over the hood and saw one of nine power poles that had been forced down by the wind.

"I'd say it was about six feet in front of my car when I came to a stop," she said. "There were live wires bouncing all over the sides of my car.

"It was scary. The first thing I did was back up to get the live wires off of my car. I backed probably 100 feet."

While she usually carries a cell phone with her, she said she had forgotten it at home, and so there was nothing to do but wait for help.

"There was a woman stopped some distance behind us who had a cell phone and she immediately called 911."

The Nelsons knew about the dangers of getting out of the car and chose to remain in their vehicle until directed to do otherwise. They were trapped for about an hour before an AmerenUE crew member was able to assure the couple that they could exit safely.

Although the power lines had been de-energized by the electrical crews, their vehicle could not be immediately moved from the scene. After walking some distance in the rainy weather, Dexter fire chief Al Banken escorted the two back to their home and they were later able to retrieve their vehicle.

The Nelsons consider themselves fortunate to have been spared serious injuries during the storm that knocked out power to some 1,100 Bernie residents.

"It was scary," Doris Nelson confirmed.

"We could see the wires jumping and hear them cracking, but the good Lord was with us other than being a little sore from grabbing the steering wheel so hard bringing the car to a stop. We're just fine."