Sedalia Emergency Mangement Director Dave Clippert has good news after a tornado touched down just south of Sedalia, traveled into the city, and damanged homes and businesses in its wake: Only 20 to 22 people received minor injuries, there are no serious injuries and deaths being reported at this time.
The Weather Channel surveys the damage in Sedalia from the air.
Utility providers have shut down the electricity in the affected areas because of downed power lines, and the natural gas has been shut off as well as a safety precaution.
Land lines are down, cell phone coverage is patchy, says Jeff Spaulding with Missourinet affiliate station KDRO in Sedalia.
A local church’s Celebration Center — also on the city’s south end — has been set up as a reunion center for folks looking to locate family members and loved ones; it’s also been activated as shelter for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.
No schools were damaged, so no children were injured, Spaulding says.
AUDIO: Jessica Machetta interviews Jeff Spaulding, KDRO [Mp3, 2:35 min.]