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Gov. Parson’s update on storm recovery, damage assessments: Missouri is making strong progress

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Hawthorne Apartments took a direct hit Wednesday night.

Governor Parson urges Missourians to be prepared to take protective actions over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in which severe weather and flooding are being forecast.

The National Weather Service Kansas City Office expects up to three inches of rain in northwest Missouri by early Saturday morning, resulting in a Flash Flood Watch. The Kansas City NWS office is calling for a total of 4 to 6 inches of rainfall for parts of Missouri over the next seven days. This is now expected to push flooded rivers to higher levels than previously forecast

In Jefferson City, a team of volunteer engineers, architects, building inspectors, and other trained professionals Friday began assessing the exteriors of about 500 homes and buildings believed to have sustained damage to determine which are safe and which should be evacuated.

On Saturday, SEMA’s Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation (S.A.V.E.) Coalition is expected to evaluate about 200 additional structures in Cole County that are reported to have been damaged.

Of the first 321 structures reviewed Friday, the S.A.V.E. Coalition reported the following:

  • 78 Unsafe (Severely damaged and cannot be occupied – Red placard.)
  • 60 Restricted Use (A portion of the building is unsafe – Yellow placard.)
  • 183 Safe for Reentry (Structurally safe to occupy – Green placard.)

Inspectors look for external structural damage, such as partially collapsed buildings, buildings moved off their foundations, leaning buildings, damage to supports, falling hazards from chimneys or walls, or other hazards like gas leaks or downed power lines.

“As I traveled the state yesterday and observed the devastation from Wednesday night storms, I saw people hard at work and lending a hand everywhere I went. Missouri utilities and businesses have brought on extra workers and are working extended shifts; public service workers are doing yeoman’s work, and volunteers are making a difference. The results are clear. Missouri is making strong progress in our recovery from this challenge, ” Parson said.

More updates from Governor’s Office

  • State Facilities Restoration: The Missouri Office of Administration (OA) has taken the following actions so that all state employees can return to work on Tuesday: begun cleanup efforts, worked with contractors to repair damaged buildings and roofs, worked with Ameren Missouri to restore power to several buildings, recovered IT equipment from damaged buildings, and identified temporary work spaces for employees in damaged buildings. At the Division of Employment Security building on Dunklin Street, OA has assisted in moving employees to temporary work spaces and worked to repair the HVAC system, as well as cleaning debris and helping Ameren Missouri restore power to the building.

 

  • Power Restoration: Efforts by Ameren Missouri and Three Rivers Electric Cooperative, bolstered by additional crews, have greatly reduced outages. Friday morning, in the Jefferson City area, Ameren Missouri was reporting about 3,000 outages. Three Rivers Electric was reporting about 900 outages in Cole County and about 250 in Miller County. Power is expected to be completely restored Saturday. There were more than 14,000 total outages on Thursday.

 

  • Communications Restoration: Verizon, which sustained damage that affected 19 sites in the Jefferson City area has deployed three mobile cellular sites and a mobile community center at City Hall to support first responders and affected community members with wireless communications. The company is also providing a recharging station, laptops with internet connectivity, and an air-conditioned mobile facility to support survivors and volunteers. It’s also offering unlimited calling, text, and data for customers impacted by the Missouri tornadoes.

 

  • Communications Restoration: U.S. Cellular, whose service was affected by the storms in Miller, Barton, and Jasper counties, deployed generators and partnered with another carrier to raise call capacity.

 

  • Law Enforcement: In addition to assisting local public safety agencies responding to calls for service, search and rescue, and security details in Jefferson City, Golden City and Carl Junction, the Missouri State Highway Patrol provided 21 of its law enforcement academy recruits to direct traffic in damaged areas of Jefferson City on Thursday. Also, nine Patrol troopers assisted by handling regular police calls for service in the Jefferson City area on Thursday. Patrol aircraft have been assisting with aerial damage assessments.

 

Special Olympics Missouri cancels state summer games

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Special Olympics Missouri has canceled next week’s state summer games. Board Chairman Gary Wilbers says tornado damage to the brand new training campus in Jefferson City has led to the tough decision.

Wednesday night’s twister ripped off a big chunk of the headquarters’ roof and football field and many windows were blown out.

The organization spent years raising money to build the new state-of-art center. The multi-million dollar campus opened last November. The organization is seeking donations to rebuild.

In a video, Wilbers shows the damage to the location.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Severe storms possible this evening in Kansas City and northwest Missouri (AUDIO)

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill says severe storms are possible again Friday afternoon into tonight across parts of western and northern Missouri.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe thunderstorms are possible in parts of Missouri this afternoon and tonight (May 24, 2019 map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Jimmy Barham says the storm will be coming in from Wichita and is expected to impact the Kansas City metro at around 5 p.m.

“The main threat is going to be over western Missouri, basically I-35 and west. A little bit to the east late at night,” Barham says.

The NWS says impacted towns are expected to include Kansas City, St. Joseph, Cameron, and Bethany.

Barham says residents in the Kansas City metro and near the I-35 corridor could see wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and one inch hail. He tells Missourinet flash flooding is also a concern, noting Kansas City has already received 8.9 inches of rain for the month.

“The average to this day in May is 3.89 (inches), so we’re already well above where we should be this time of the month,” says Barham.

He also says western and west-central Missouri could see severe thunderstorms.

“If you’re Butler to (west central Missouri’s) Sedalia, you still have a chance of isolated severe storms as well,” Barham says.

The National Weather Service is also urging anyone camping this weekend to avoid doing so near creeks and streams, and to head to higher ground when warnings are issued. The NWS also urges you to have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with National Weather Service Pleasant Hill meteorologist Jimmy Barham, which was recorded on May 24, 2019:

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Judge orders closure of popular Missouri swimming hole

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Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt says a judge has ordered the popular swimming hole called “Offsets” to close until further safety measures are taken. “Offsets” is a lead mine turned swimming hole in Southeast Missouri’s Fredericktown.

Judge orders closure of popular Missouri swimming hole

“It was incredibly important to me to ensure that swimmers were kept off the water at The Offsets for Memorial Day until proper safety measures are implemented,” Schmitt said in a press release. “It’s my hope that The Offsets will implement the necessary safety features and ensure that their patrons are able to safely enjoy themselves.”

Since its opening in the early 1980’s, at least 9 people have died from drowning or falling off of the bluffs and countless other injuries have occurred

Then-Attorney General Josh Hawley filed a lawsuit against The Offsets in July of 2018, seeking to compel the entity to remedy the dangerous conditions their property poses to swimmers and patrons. In the final judgement, Judge Wendy Horn bars the owners of “The Offsets,” Gary and Rebecca Henson, from re-opening the swimming hole until extensive safety measures are met.

Some of the safety measures include requiring an emergency response plan to be prepared and frequent staff trainings to be held, stipulating specific areas where jumping is allowed and stationing trained lifeguards in those areas, requiring an additional lifeguard to be stationed in a boat in the water to be more readily available to rescue swimmers, requiring all patrons who are jumping into the water to wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests, and more.

Parson signs bill to ban abortions at eight weeks

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During a bill signing today at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Governor Mike Parson signed House Bill 126 into law banning abortions at eight weeks into pregnancies. In a press release, the governor says a coalition of pro-life leaders and legislative members joined him today for the bill signing. The media was not invited.

Governor Mike Parson addresses firefighters during the Missouri State Firefighters Day in Jefferson City on March 6, 2019 (file photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI}

“By signing this bill today, we are sending a strong signal to the nation that, in Missouri, we stand for life, protect women’s health, and advocate for the unborn,” said Parson in a press release. “All life has value and is worth protecting.”

On the last day of the Missouri Legislature’s regular session, the wide-ranging measure passed that bans doctors from doing abortions on women if a fetal heartbeat is heard. Physicians who violate the law face five to fifteen years in prison. It would also forbid doctors from doing abortions if the baby would have Down syndrome or for sex or race-selective abortions.

HB 126 makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. Additionally, the legislation requires both parents to be notified if a minor child wants an abortion.

According to Parson, the bill expands the definition of a pregnancy resource center for tax credit purposes to include centers providing assistance to families. It removes the sunset and cumulative tax credit cap beginning in FY 2021 and increases the pregnancy resource center tax credit from 50% to 70% beginning January 1, 2021.

Missouri Republican mega donor David Humphreys said Parson should veto the bill. In an email to the Kansas City Star, the Joplin businessman said he’s opposed to abortion but he supports a woman’s right to choose, particularly in rape or incest cases.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, thanked Parson for signing the “Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act”.

“The General Assembly has worked tirelessly over the last few months to send the Governor the boldest and most comprehensive pro-life bill in the country to stand for those without a voice. With today’s signing, Missouri’s law will reflect the values of Missourians across the state that believe every child is a gift from God and deserving of the fundamental Constitutional right to life,” said Haahr.

Senator Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, was on the front lines trying to negotiate with Republicans in her chamber on the bill.

“Governor Parson has outlawed abortion for all women, including victims of rape and incest. He has signed a law to take away a woman’s choice before she even knows she’s pregnant. With this new law, the Governor and his Republican Party have shown they don’t trust women, and are too extreme for most Missourians,” said Schupp in a press release.

M’Evie Mead with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Missouri issued a statement in response to the governor’s action today:

“People need to know that this ban is not in effect — yet. Abortion is still legal in this state and Planned Parenthood Advocates will do everything we can to protect access to abortion in Missouri — and hold these extreme politicians accountable for their attacks on our health care,” said Mead.

St. Louis holds Missouri’s lone abortion clinic.

The bill is expected to be blocked through a court challenge. Otherwise, it would become law on August 28.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Hawley to tour tornado-damaged town in southwest Missouri on Friday

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Missouri’s junior senator plans to visit tornado-damaged Carl Junction Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield issued a tornado warning for southwest Missouri’s Carl Junction on May 22, 2019 (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter page)

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley plans to visit with first responders and community leaders in southwest Missouri’s Carl Junction Friday at 1 p.m.

He’ll tour a subdivision that was struck by an EF-3 tornado, during Wednesday’s storms.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield says their preliminary survey finds that Wednesday night’s tornado in Carl Junction had estimated peak winds of 140 miles per hour. The NWS says the tornado was on the ground for 14 minutes.

While numerous homes were damaged, there were no injuries nor deaths in Carl Junction.

Governor Mike Parson traveled to Carl Junction on Thursday to tour the subdivision, telling Missourinet Joplin affiliate KZRG that he’s impressed with how residents came together to assist one another in their time of need.

The governor says the state will provide all of the necessary resources to help get residents back on their feet.

KZRG reports more than 30 homes sustained significant damage from the tornado.

Classes were cancelled in Carl Junction on Thursday.

Carl Junction’s motto is “Growing with Pride.” The town has about 8,000 residents.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

New Special Olympics Training For Life Campus suffers heavy tornado damage

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When Special Olympics CEO Susan Stegeman and her husband heard the sirens, they took shelter in their basement on Wednesday night not far from where she works.  When she heard there was a tornado in the area of Highways 54 and 179 her first thoughts were not of her own house, but work.

“Oh no, the campus,” Stegeman thought.

She was hopeful that most of the quarry walls that surround the multi-million dollar complex on the south end of Jefferson City would provide enough protection for the building that just opened at the end of 2018.   Stegeman didn’t get the full assessment of the damage to the building until Thursday morning.

The entire glass entrance at the front of the building was blown out.  A portion of the roof that covers the full-court basketball surface was missing and half of the field turf that surrounds the track behind the main building was peeled away.

After spending most of the late night and early morning hours assessing the damage with engineers and building designers, Stegeman had a few moments Thursday afternoon to shower and change clothes before getting right back to work. She says for the next 48 hours, while they’ve ceased operations at the facility, the staff will focus on evaluating the damage and securing the facility.  Phase two will turn their attention to making a decision on the State Summer Games which begin May 31-June 2.

Stegeman said the outpouring of support from the community has been amazing.

“People come forward all the time ‘How can I help?’  We’ve had offers of trucks, manpower, storage units, office space.  We do have plans in place for temporary places to work and a long term option as well that has come forward,” said Stegeman.

The Training for Life Campus is a facility on more than 16 acres in Jefferson City. This campus serves current and future Missouri athletes with intellectual disabilities. It is the first facility of its kind in the world, with the purpose of enriching the lives of their athletes.  SOMO and the Campus For Life celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 1, 2018.

Stegeman understands there are other businesses, schools and families that are affected by the tornado which makes the support for the SOMO community overwhelming.

“Our community rocks,” says Stegeman.

NWS wants to hear from Jefferson City residents who witnessed massive tornado

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says the overnight tornado that struck Jefferson City appears to be an EF-3.

Tornado damage in Jefferson City on May 23, 2019

NWS St. Louis meteorologist Melissa Mainhart says their preliminary damage survey indicates it was an EF-3 tornado with an estimated peak wind of 160 miles per hour.

Mainhart tells Missourinet the NWS survey team is still examining damage in Jefferson City. The team has three crew members.

She’s encouraging anyone who witnessed the overnight tornado to call their spotter phone number at (636) 447-1759.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson took an aerial tour of the Capital City this morning, to view the devastation.

The tornado has caused massive damage near Highway 54, including a Best Western, Burger King, Riley Toyota and Riley Chevrolet, the Special Olympics training facility and an apartment complex.

Jefferson City Police have closed the northbound Highway 54 exit onto Christy, as crews work to restore power.

Ameren Missouri and other crews from across Missouri and other states are currently staged at the sprawling Applebee’s parking lot, west of the State Capitol.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet