The death toll has risen to three from last night’s tornadoes that belted southwest Missouri and then came down in southeast Missouri later.
Severe weather destroyed a Conoco gas station in the small town of Edgar Springs. UPI/Ryan Dean
Public Safety Department Spokesman Mike O’Connell says the latest recorded death is in the Bootheel.
Two deaths have been reported in Buffalo and in Cassville in southwest Missouri and a third in Puxico in southeast Missouri’s Stoddard County. O’Connell says there were 40 to 50 injuries through the state, most of them minor.
Cape Girardeau has suffered “fairly extensive” damage with more than 490 homes damaged, although mostly minor. O’Connell says the Cape Girardeau tornado has been classified as an EF-2. But observers believe it became an EF-4 when it hit Harrisburg, Ill., and caused several other deaths.
Heavy property damage also is reported in Branson, the Buffalo area, Lebanon, and Kimberling City.
Gov. Nixon has activated the National Guard to assist with clean-up.
AUDIO: Branson resident Donna Lowe tells CNN about being in her trailer home with it was flipped over just after midnight. (4:00)