Power Outage in Jackson, MO

Trees were blown down, causing several power outages.

Lightning struck a large transformer, knocking out power to about three-quarters of the city.

Several trees were blown down, including a very large tree that took out a utility pole. Power was disrupted to 620 electric customers.

On Route D north of Jackson, a large portion of roof was blown off a home, a metal carport was blown away, and a portion of a fence was blown down. Rainwater damaged the kitchen, laundry, and master bath. Elsewhere in the county, power lines were down near Gordonville. Several sheets of tin were wrapped around a tree in Fruitland. Shingles were blown off a home near Route K.

Multiple houses were struck by lightning. About one third of the residents in the city were without power due to lightning strikes.

Numerous trees were blown down, some of which fell on power lines. A tree fell at a residence, damaging the porch and a 27-foot travel trailer parked outside.

The tornado touched down at the intersection of Highway 34 and Business Loop I-55 in Jackson, then moved northeast across downtown Jackson and the Bent Creek Golf Course. The damage path ended about 300 yards short of Interstate 55. Several trees blocked Interstate 55 near Jackson. Peak tornado winds were estimated near 180 MPH. The police and fire headquarters building was near the beginning of the damage path. The roof was blown off the building and windows were blown out, allowing rain to flood the building and cause extensive damage. The hazardous materials trailer and communications van were overturned. City police and fire operations were moved to alternate quarters. Streets were blocked by flipped cars and downed trees and power lines. Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. The roofs and some walls were torn off many buildings and homes, as well as a school in downtown Jackson. About 200 structures in Jackson received at least some degree of damage. Approximately 22 homes were destroyed, 43 received major damage, and 140 received minor damage. Of those, six were mobile homes and four were apartment buildings. Three businesses were destroyed, including a bakery. Four other businesses had major damage, including a storage company and a woodworking business. Two injured persons were treated and released from a local hospital. One family safely took shelter in their basement while baseball size hail battered the kitchen floor of their unroofed home, and a small sports car landed in their living room. Twenty gas leaks caused by the tornado were repaired within 6 hours. Power was restored to all but 30 homes within 48 hours.

Lightning struck the power lines supplying the Jackson police and fire headquarters. The communications and computer capabilities of the public safety departments were negatively impacted.