F3 Tornado — Lawrence, Missouri

2003-05-04 · near Pierce City, Lawrence, Missouri

Wider weather episode

This tornado is a continuation of the Newton County tornado. A large tornado laid out a half mile wide path of destruction across southwest, central, and east central Lawrence County. Several communities was affected, however, the community of Pierce City was hardest hit as the historic downtown of 100 plus year old buildings were completely destroyed. Around 229 homes, buisnesses, and outbuildings were destroyed while 320 were damaged. The tornado also claimed the lives of five local residents and injured 33. The tornado continued on the ground into the Christian County panhandle. Dale Taunton age 52, was taking cover inside a National Guard armory tornado shelter, but was not in the basement. He was deceased from being struck by debris and bricks.Wanda Sue Handly age 46, was in her mobile home north of Monett while the tornado approached. She was deceased from being tossed from trailer and hit by flying debris.Jacob Aldaba Rueda age 20 weeks, was blown from his mother's arms when the tornado struck their mobile home. He was deceased from being thrown one quarter of a mile from his location. Janet Eskridge age 52, was in her modular home when the tornado struck. She was deceased from being tossed several yards from her home.Vicki Lynn Lawrence age 39, was deceased from being hit by flying debris while her mobile home was being destroyed from the tornado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.9333, -94.0667)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5358181. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.