Power Outage in Matthews, MO

The tornado occurred between Canalou and Matthews, north of State Highway H. A large farm implement building was destroyed. Parts of the building were lofted over one mile away. Four other barns and garages sustained damage, some of which was major. A grain bin was blown in on one side. At one residence, the roof of a rear porch was blown off, a window was broken, and large sections of shingles were torn off. A window was broken at another home. Farm implements were blown 20 to 50 feet. Power poles were down along Highway FF. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph.

The tornado touched down along U.S. Highway 62 and tracked eastward across Interstate 55. One barn was leveled. Other barns were damaged, and random power poles were down. There was minor damage to a few house roofs. Numerous irrigation pivots were damaged. Some trees were uprooted. Three tractor-trailer rigs were overturned on Interstate 55. Peak winds in the New Madrid County portion of the damage path were near 95 mph. The tornado continued eastward into Mississippi County.

Northwest through north of Matthews, a section of roof was blown off an older farmhouse. A barn was levelled. Power poles were leaning or broken. Numerous shingles were missing off one house. A carport was leaning sideways. Numerous large limbs were down. Many irrigation systems were blown over. This damage immediately preceded a tornado that began north of Matthews along U.S. Highway 62.

This tornado contained estimated peak winds near 100 mph. The tornado track began along Highway FF and ended along U.S. Highway 62. On Highway FF, a power pole was snapped and a metal shed about 14 by 16 feet was destroyed. On Highway 62, a large metal building door was blown in, with another door partially blown out. There was also siding damage. Two grain augers were blown over. Several grain pipes were blown around, including two across U.S. Highway 62. One of the poles impaled a passing car, shattering the window.

Several power poles were snapped.