National Weather Service in St. Louis Archives

Hawley: volunteers who showed up after Jefferson City tornado “showed the very best of who we are” (AUDIO/VIDEO)

May 23, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s junior senator describes the EF-3 tornado that struck Jefferson City one year ago today as devastating.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley views a tornado-damaged building near the old MSP in Jefferson City on May 25, 2019 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

The May 22, 2019 tornado, which the National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says packed an estimated peak wind of 160 miles per hour, destroyed about 240 homes and businesses.

“I remember my very first feeling was just incredible gratitude and thankfulness that more lives were not lost and more people not injured, because the devastation, the severity of the storm, the tornado was very, very significant,” Senator Josh Hawley says.

Senator Hawley walked down East Capitol Avenue in Jefferson City with a Missourinet reporter a year ago Saturday, viewing the devastation. Hawley praised the more than 1,000 volunteers who turned out that day, to remove debris and to help tornado victims.

“People coming with their tools and their chainsaws to help and clear away things,” Hawley told Missourinet that afternoon, in blazing heat. “People taking in neighbors and letting them stay in their homes, it really is a testament to the spirit of this state.”

East Capitol Avenue is just east of the State Capitol and near the old Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), which also took a direct hit from the tornado.

Hawley visited that afternoon with residents and shopkeepers who had been affected. Some had lost everything, and were in tears.

During an interview this week, Hawley reflected on that tour. He says the volunteers who showed up in Jefferson City that day “showed the very best of who we are.”

“I also remember the number of people lining the street who were out helping their neighbors, out delivering food, I think there was a local restaurant owner who had set up a tent and was cooking meals for people right there on the spot,” says Hawley.

The restaurant owner donated all of the food that day to tornado victims and to volunteers.

There were no fatalities from the tornado, which State Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, described as an amazing testament to the community and the coordination with first responders.

Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin describes the tornado as terrifying, noting the extensive destruction.

“But the damage was outdone by the volunteers. The sheer power of the tornado was no match for our community strength. We were determined to come back from this stronger, and we are,” Tergin says.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R), which was recorded on May 21, 2020. Brian also asked Senator Hawley about the Table Rock Lake duck boat issue:

Lightning, hail and a few tornadoes possible across Missouri this evening (AUDIO)

August 26, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe thunderstorms are likely Monday evening across a large section of Missouri, stretching from Columbia to Jefferson City to the Lake of the Ozarks to Springfield.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe storms could impact Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield tonight (map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Jared Maples tells Missourinet the time frame will be from about 5 to midnight.

“Will extend from about Columbia and Jefferson City and just increase to the southwest of there, and a lot of that is probably going to come from this complex that is ongoing right now,” Maples says.

He says lightning, large hail and wind gusts up to 65 miles-per-hour are expected, adding that a few tornadoes are also possible.

“That’s what everybody should keep their eyes and ears open for and have several sources for warning information for that type of threat,” says Maples.

The NWS in Kansas City has issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for western Missouri today, and the NWS Springfield office has also issued several severe thunderstorm warnings.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with NWS St. Louis meteorologist Jared Maples, which was recorded on August 26, 2019:

Normal operations may not resume at tornado-damaged Jefferson City car dealership until November

June 7, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

(news director John Marsh at Jefferson City affiliate KWOS Radio contributed to this story)

The Riley Toyota and Riley Chevrolet dealerships in Jefferson City remain closed until further notice, due to the recent EF-3 tornado.

Ameren Missouri utility trucks lined the road near Best Western and the Riley Toyota and Chevrolet Buick GMC dealerships in Jefferson City on May 23, 2019, the day after an EF-3 tornado (Brian Hauswirth photo)

Owner Kevin Riley tells Missourinet Jefferson City affiliate KWOS (AM 950) that the tornado damaged or destroyed about 800 of the dealerships’ cars and trucks.

“We will become operational, our sales will become operational soon,” Riley tells KWOS. “We are looking at different parts of the city, we are looking at staying there. We’re just trying to put the pieces to the pie together.”

KWOS notes Riley Auto Group has been a fixture in the Capital City since the 1930s.

Mr. Riley hopes to have the Toyota dealership back to normal operation in six months or less. He says the Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership will likely take longer, because the tornado destroyed their service center.

“The GM store, man, it (the May 22 tornado) just took it all,” says Riley.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says the tornado’s estimated peak wind was 160 miles per hour.

The Riley Family has posted a message on its website, saying they “are thankful for no loss of life in Jefferson City.” The message also says they intend to repair and rebuild, and that they are strengthened by the community’s support.

The same tornado that impacted the Riley dealerships also struck the nearby Special Olympics Training for Life campus, blowing off part of the roof and blowing out numerous windows. The track was also damaged.

Special Olympics has suspended all building operations, because of the damage.

Severe storms expected across much of central and eastern Missouri this evening (AUDIO)

June 5, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis warns that severe storms are expected Wednesday afternoon and tonight across parts of northeast, central and eastern Missouri.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis outlines the time frame for today’s anticipated severe weather (June 5, 2019 map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Ben Herzog tells Missourinet storms are expected to develop in northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois, and are expected to push straight south.

“Primary thing we’re anticipating with these storms are strong, straight-line winds, damaging winds although these storms will also be capable of producing large hail,” Herzog says.

Herzog says 60 to 70 mile per hour winds are possible, along with lightning. He says the severe storms are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon in Columbia, Jefferson City and Moberly around the afternoon commute time.

“The most likely time for storms in those areas looks like it’s going to be around 5, 6 o’clock, something like that,” says Herzog. “Now I should say that’s going to be the time when storms are most likely.”

The NWS says severe storms are expected to impact the St. Louis region from about 4-7 p.m., and will impact the southern Missouri towns of Lebanon, Rolla and Farmington between 7 and 10 tonight.

The NWS says the St. Louis region and northeast Missouri’s Troy and Bowling Green are now at an enhanced risk of severe weather this afternoon, which means numerous severe storms are possible.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with NWS meteorologist Ben Herzog, which was recorded on June 5, 2019:

Special Olympics Missouri praises “army of volunteers” who’ve responded after Jefferson City tornado

June 5, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

While structural engineers are still finishing their report, Jefferson City’s recent EF-3 tornado does not appear to have caused a total loss at the sprawling Special Olympics Training for Life campus.

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt (left) speaks to American Red Cross representatives outside Special Olympics in Jefferson City on May 28, 2019 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

The May 22nd tornado caused enormous damage to the facility, blowing off part of the roof and blowing out numerous windows. The track was also damaged.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says the tornado’s estimated peak wind was 160 miles per hour.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt tells Missourinet he’s optimistic about the facility’s future.

“There’s a lot to be said for rebuilding,” Blunt says. “Rebuilding, I think it was (journalist and novelist Ernest) Hemingway said life breaks us all but afterwards we’re often strongest at the broken places.”

Senator Blunt toured the facility last week, noting he attended the November Training for Life campus’ opening with Governor Mike Parson (R) and former Governor Jay Nixon (D).

Special Olympics notes all building operations have been suspended. Special Olympics Missouri President Susan Stegeman tells Misourinet it does not appear to be a total loss.

There is still enormous damage, and Stegeman says they’ll rebuild.

“I would encourage everyone, if they want to donate money, to do so by texting SOMOREBUILD to 71777,” says Stegeman.

Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield says the tornado damaged about 240 homes and businesses in the Capital City.

Stegeman is praising the “army of volunteers” who have responded to assist the organization following the tornado. She says the response has been amazing.

“This campus was built by Missouri. It wasn’t built by Special Olympics, it was built by Missouri,” Stegeman says.

Stegeman tells Missourinet the Mizzou baseball team, wrestling team and the women’s basketball team have all been to the facility to assist.

Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin and numerous state lawmakers participated in the recent tour with Blunt. The lawmakers included State Reps. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, and Sara Walsh, R-Ashland.

The American Red Cross was also on-hand.

Riggs: “It’s all hands on deck” in northeast Missouri; major flooding to continue (AUDIO)

June 3, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis warns that major flooding is expected to continue in northeast Missouri for the next one to two weeks.

The National Guard’s 35th Brigade has been assisting along the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri’s Clarksville (May 31, 2019 photo courtesy of Missouri National Guard Twitter Page and Sgt. Christy Van Drunen)

State Rep. Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, tells Missourinet volunteers are still needed to sandbag in Hannibal and Quincy.

“Another nice thing is seeing how many families are getting out there, I mean little kids, five, six, seven years old, pitching in,” Riggs says.

He says it’s “all hands on deck” in the Hannibal area and across northeast Missouri. Riggs praises the volunteers, saying they have filled hundreds of thousands of sandbags.

The NWS says the Mississippi River crested on Sunday in Hannibal, Louisiana and Clarksville. The Mississippi crested at Hannibal at about 30 feet.

Riggs says levees across northeast Missouri are saturated.

“The power of the (Mississippi) River. We’ve been at flood stage in this area since March 15th,” says Riggs.

Riggs says the weather pattern has been “horrible.” He says the weather pattern reminds him of 1993, the year of the Great Flood.

The NWS says there’s a slight risk of severe weather across northeast Missouri on Tuesday.

As he did during a Thursday interview, Riggs is asking for prayers for those impacted. He tells Missourinet “the power of prayer” is working, saying there have been miracles in the Fabius River Drainage District area.

He says Highways 61 and 24 in that area are still open.

Riggs represents Marion, Monroe and Shelby Counties in the Missouri House. All three counties are rural, with a large agricultural presence.

Closer to St. Louis, the NWS confirms there has been a breach in the Pin Oaks levee near the small town of Winfield, north of St. Charles.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with State Rep. Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, which was recorded on June 2, 2019:

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

May 23, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

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.