Severe storms destroy mobile home and flatten barn in Putnam County, Missouri
By Brian Johnson, Nick Sloan
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PUTNAM COUNTY, Missouri (KMBC) — Powerful storms tore through Putnam County on Wednesday night, destroying a family’s home and damaging multiple buildings across the county.
Putnam County Emergency Management told KMBC that several outbuildings and a couple of homes were damaged.
The damage was scattered across the county, and 911 dispatchers were overwhelmed with calls as the storms moved through.
One of the hardest-hit areas was about 10 miles west of Unionville near EE Highway and 190th Street.
A cattle barn at the top of a hill was flattened by the strong winds. All four walls collapsed, leaving the structure ripped apart. Another barn nearby appeared to escape significant damage.
On the opposite side of the property, the family’s mobile home was destroyed.
Little remained except concrete blocks from the foundation, while chickens wandered through the debris.
“It’s really scary. It’s a total loss for the family, but mother nature had other plans I guess. so,” said Jonathan Foster of Putnam County.
Residents said damaging tornadoes are uncommon in the area.
“We haven’t had many big tornadoes around here. At least that I know of. When I was younger we had a decent tornado but that was 17 years ago,” said Jace Hanes of Schuyler County.
Others focused on the long recovery ahead.
“It’s a shame. There’s lot of damage to rebuild and more money to spend, which no one really likes in this economy,” said Kaden of Schuyler County.
Friends and neighbors were already stepping up to help the affected family.
Emergency management officials said several outbuildings across Putnam County were destroyed, but they were still working to determine the full extent of the damage.
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