Power Outage in Van Buren, MO

Trees and power lines were down on County Road 125 south of U.S. Highway 60. A large tree was blocking part of State Route C. Other tree damage occurred near the intersection of State Route C and County Road 3280.

Trees and power lines were down on County Road 125 south of U.S. Highway 60. A large tree was blocking part of State Route C. Other tree damage occurred near the intersection of State Route C and County Road 3280.

Numerous trees were down across the county. People were trapped by falling trees in a campground near Van Buren. Power outages were reported.

Tree damage and power outages were reported throughout the community. Law enforcement estimated a wind gust to 60 mph just southeast of town.

Several trees were blown down around town. Power was out to several homes and businesses, including the county sheriff department.

Numerous trees were blown down across the county, including the Van Buren area. A power line was down in Van Buren. The county sheriff department received 50 to 60 calls regarding downed trees.

A few large tree limbs were blown down. Much of Van Buren was without power.

The tornado began near the Current River along Highway Z and then moved northeast. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted within a well-defined path in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The tornado passed through the tiny community of Chilton, where an old abandoned schoolhouse was nearly destroyed. A few homes received siding and shingle damage. Near the end of the damage path along Missouri Highway 21 and U.S. Highway 60, there was damage to the metal roofing of an old saw mill. A saw mill employee reported visually witnessing the tornado. Missouri Highway 21 was closed due to debris and power lines across it. The path was mostly through hilly and forested country. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

Power lines and tree limbs were blown down.

The tornado touched down near County Road 223, where a tin roof was peeled up on a small outbuilding. A gate and fence were blown about 50 feet. The tornado reached its maximum width and its peak intensity as it crossed County Road 225. This is where a permanent home suffered partial wall and roof loss, a mobile home was blown 15 feet off its foundation, and over one hundred trees were uprooted. The residents of the mobile home took refuge in the laundry room, which was the only room not destroyed. Residents of both homes were provided food and shelter by the Red Cross. A large oak tree fell on a vehicle, causing major damage to the vehicle. Two other vehicles were damaged by debris. A shed and outbuildings were destroyed. A bicycle was blown up into a tree. A twin-pole high voltage transmission tower was partially blown over. The tornado crossed U.S. Highway 60, then struck a sawmill on Highway FF. The 40-by-100 foot sawmill was destroyed. None of the eight workers in the sawmill were injured, possibly because they jumped into a sawdust pit. A home near the sawmill lost part of its roof (less than 20 percent), and dozens of large trees were uprooted. As the tornado crossed County Road 327, a few more trees were blown down. Part of a metal roof from a small barn was blown into a tree. Due to damage to the high-voltage transmission lines, over 1,500 customers from Van Buren to Ellsinore were without power for up to four hours. A National Weather Service damage survey confirmed a convergent signature to the debris pattern. A person in the area reported witnessing the tornado. Peak winds in this tornado were estimated near 120 mph.

A couple of trees were blown down, including one on a power line.

Utility company personnel reported some tree and power line damage across the county.