Severe storms strike area again
A tornado warning was issued for portions of southern Vernon County shortly after 11 p.m., Tuesday, with severe storms heading for Sheldon, Moundville and Bronaugh, just two days after storms tore through Schell City. On Monday, storms pelted the small northeast Vernon County with large, nearly tennis-ball-sized hail. Tuesday night, as the storm approached, friends and family in other parts of the county waited for word on what had happened. Spotters were activated throughout the county.
By about 11:30 p.m., Tuesday, high winds were wreaking havoc in Nevada as well. Trees and power lines fell, leaving many without power as the storm progressed. The police department's power also flickered,
"We've got trees on the roadway… we've got stuff everywhere," a police officer reported over the scanner at about 11:45. The tornado sirens were sounding, and lights were down at Cedar and Barr.
As reports of wind damage poured in, a loud crash was heard near the Nevada Daily Mail's offices.
The mural -- honoring local veterans and service members -- on the Cedar
Street wall of Ring TV had been torn from the wall by the wind and lay in pieces in the roadway at the corner of Cedar and Cherry streets. Interestingly, a heavy downpour interrupted the dedication ceremony when this mural was dedicated.
Straight line winds in excess of 80 miles per hour were the culprit causing most of the damage, according to early reports. The storm itself was moving at a rate of 84 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado warning expired at midnight. In rural areas trees and debris also fell in roadways and caused power outages, but information available as of press time Tuesday night was sketchy. Walker residents were reportedly without power.
As of 12:15 a.m., Wednesday, no injuries had been reported, although at least one tree had struck a vacant home, and another had fallen across two cars.
An update on the storm and its impact will be published in the Thursday, June 5 edition of the Nevada Daily Mail.