Dozens of homes damaged as severe storms, tornadoes hit Midwest
SMITHVILLE, Mo. -- The police chief in Smithville says between 60 and 70 houses were damaged when strong storms swept through the town, with some completely destroyed.
Chief Jason Lockridge says Monday night’s storms left damage “well north of seven figures” in the town of around 9,000 residents about 25 miles north of Kansas City.
Many of the homes were seriously damaged but Lockridge said Tuesday it was too early to say how many were destroyed.
Lockridge says he and other emergency responders knew Monday night that Smithville was severely damaged but that the extent wasn’t clear until daylight Tuesday.
No serious injuries were reported in the Smithville area.
LIVE: Smithville authorities update public on damage reports after tornado touches down in Smithville, MO.
Posted by KCTV5 News on Tuesday, March 7, 2017
The National Weather Service said at least two tornadoes touched down in Missouri Monday evening.
Dan Hawblitzel said there were no immediate reports of fatalities as a result of the storms, which produced a stream of warnings and watches in eastern Kansas and in Missouri through the late afternoon and evening.
“It played out as we expected - several tornadoes and a lot of wind damage,” Hawblitzel said. “It’s certainly sad to see and hear about the homes destroyed.”