Severe thunderstorms swept through central Missouri on Friday, leaving downed trees and scattered debris across multiple communities in the region. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings for damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornado threats throughout the afternoon and evening hours, prompting residents to seek shelter as the storm system moved eastward.
According to local emergency management officials, the most significant impacts were reported in Boone, Callaway, and Cole counties, where gusts exceeding 60 mph snapped tree limbs and uprooted entire trees, blocking roads and damaging property. Utility crews began assessing power outages late Friday, with over 12,000 customers initially without electricity across the affected areas, according to data from Ameren Missouri’s outage map Ameren Missouri Outage Map.
Storm spotters and radar data confirmed multiple instances of straight-line wind damage consistent with downburst activity, particularly along Highway 63 north of Columbia and near Jefferson City. The National Weather Service office in Springfield, Missouri, issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Cole County at 4:18 p.m. CT, citing radar-indicated winds of 70 mph and the potential for quarter-sized hail NWS Springfield, MO.
Emergency Response Underway
County sheriff’s departments and municipal public works crews were dispatched to clear fallen trees from roadways and assess structural damage to homes and vehicles. In Columbia, the Public Works Department reported responding to over 30 calls related to downed trees and power lines by 8 p.m. Friday, with crews working through the night to restore access to major thoroughfares like Broadway and Rollins Road.
No fatalities or serious injuries were reported as of Saturday morning, though several residents described close calls when trees fell near homes or vehicles. One resident in Holts Summit told local media that a large oak crashed through their backyard fence just minutes after they had brought their children inside, though no one was hurt.
The American Red Cross opened a temporary shelter at the Boone County Fire Protection District headquarters for residents displaced by storm damage or unable to return home due to blocked access. Officials emphasized that the shelter was precautionary and that most affected residents were able to stay with family or friends.
Utility Crews Work to Restore Power
By Saturday morning, Ameren Missouri reported that power had been restored to approximately 8,500 of the 12,000 customers initially affected, with remaining outages concentrated in rural areas where debris removal and line repair were more complex. The company urged residents to avoid downed power lines and to report outages through its mobile app or website.
“Our crews are prioritizing public safety and working as quickly as conditions allow to restore service,” said a spokesperson for Ameren Missouri in a statement released Saturday. “We ask for the public’s patience as we navigate challenging terrain and debris in some areas.”
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers assisted with traffic control at intersections where traffic signals were disabled due to power loss, particularly along Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 50. Drivers were advised to treat darkened intersections as four-way stops.
Looking Ahead
As of Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service indicated that the immediate threat of severe weather had passed, with dry and cooler conditions expected to return across central Missouri through the weekend. However, officials warned that additional rainfall could exacerbate flooding risks in low-lying areas where storm drains may be clogged with debris.
Residents are encouraged to document any property damage for insurance purposes and to contact local emergency management offices if they require assistance with debris removal or access to resources. The Boone County Office of Emergency Management will continue to assess needs and coordinate with state and federal partners as necessary.
If you have photos, videos, or firsthand accounts of the storm’s impact in your community, we encourage you to share them responsibly. Your experiences facilitate others understand the scope of the event and support accurate reporting. Please consider commenting below or sharing this article to help spread awareness.
