Tornadoes Hit Midwest States
Release Date: April 9, 1999
Release Number: HQ-99-096
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Weather Service (NWS) reports a weather system moved through the Midwest yesterday, spawning tornadoes in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.
As many as 18 confirmed and unconfirmed twisters have been associated with that system. NWS reports that eight of those tornadoes occurred in Missouri.
In Midway, Mo., a tornado yesterday traveled an estimated 15 miles, knocking down sheds and barns in its path. In Dodge and Saunders counties, Neb., local officials report several houses and businesses were damaged yesterday afternoon.
For dozens of residents of Ashland (Cass County), Ill., today's activities will focus on cleaning up and assessing the damage after a twister hit a mobile home park yesterday. Local officials report initial damage assessments in the town, 20 miles northwest of Springfield, indicate as many as 12 mobile homes were destroyed and 20 others were damaged. In addition, five businesses were destroyed and several others damaged. One person was killed. State-level damage assessments began early this morning.
All states in the path of the storm system have reported some level of wind damage, although they have not confirmed all of these incidents as tornado damage.
NWS forecasters report the weather system moved to the northeast overnight, bringing the threat of severe weather to Ohio, Kentucky and southwestern Virginia today.
Last Modified: Thursday, 08-Jan-2004 11:15:19