New NWS preliminary report shows EF3 tornado damage near Fredericktown

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. (KFVS) - A line of strong storms Sunday night into Monday morning caused damage throughout the Heartland, including Fredericktown.

According to a second preliminary report from the National Weather Service, storm survey crews found there is at least EF3 tornado damage near Fredericktown.

This was upgraded from an earlier report of EF2.

The NWS stated the survey is ongoing and updates will be released if more intense damage is discovered.

Because downed power lines, power outages and damage throughout town, school leaders canceled classes on Monday for Fredericktown R-1 students.

According to the superintendent of Fredericktown schools, classes were also canceled on Tuesday.

For the safety of first responders, residents and electric crews those who do not live in Fredericktown are ask to stay out of the city for the time being.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said people out driving to get a look at the damage are causing a huge traffic issue on Highway 67 and hindering recovery effort.

According to the Fredericktown R-1 School District, the Red Cross will be in the community on Monday afternoon. They are working to get shelters set up.

According to Black River Electric Cooperative CEO John Singleton, their facility was damaged by the storm, including some of their service trucks.

Singleton said crews are working with what they have right now to restore power to customers in their coverage area. As of 8 a.m. on Monday, 2,265 customers out of 6,500 were without power.

The Fredericktown Fire Department reported that the main substation that feeds the city has substantial damage and that the co-op has damage to their infrastructure.

Across the street from the electric co-op on County Road 267, there is also significant damage and downed power lines.

An RV and boat store and a home appear to major damage with lots of debris in the area.

The path of damage continued off of Highway OO, where some businesses and what appears to be homes have damage. The Treasure Trove Antique Mall was damaged in addition to a metal car port knocked down, a roof flipped off of a building and downed power lines.

There is also significant damage on City Lake Boulevard. Snapped trees and power lines can be seen throughout the area. A garage was destroyed and a few homes have damage.

Extensive damage to buildings and structures throughout the area, the community is coming together to help each other.

”When a friends in trouble, your there to help. He’s come to help me many times and I’ve helped him. We just work together,” said John Stitz, Fredericktown resident.

John Stitz said when he found out his friend Bob was in trouble, he rushed to his aid.

“This morning I saw this on the news. And I said wow that’s Don’s place so we came up here to help out all we can,” said Stitz.

The EF3 tornado damaged left the family without power, damaged the roof of their home and totaled some of Don’s classic cars.

“You see that Mustang, the roof is crushed, the windshield is busted. At least there was no damage to health wise, no health lost, nobody hurt,” said Stitz.

With plenty of help coming within the Fredericktown community.

“We just saw an opportunity to come and love on our community. There is not a whole lot of electric but there is a whole lot of damage,” said Amber Mccutcheon, Calvery Church community resource director.

Amber Mccutcheon said she took available resources like food and drinks and provided them to those in need.

“We know that the impact is probably going to last longer than today, and so we’re preparing for that. We do have electric at Calvary and our kitchen open and availible to partner with others in the community that would want to help,” said Mccutcheon.

“People always come together. In a time of need, nothing else matters. You just have to help each other out,” said Stitz.

The American Red Cross Disaster Service made their way to Madison County earlier to set up community shelters for those in need as well.

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