Winter Storm — Bollinger, Missouri

2008-02-11 to 2008-02-12 · Bollinger, Missouri

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed over the southern Plains, spreading widespread heavy precipitation across southeast Missouri. At the same time, high pressure over the upper Ohio Valley produced a cold easterly wind flow. The result was a crippling ice storm. Around one inch of ice caused extensive damage across much of southeast Missouri. The hardest hit areas extended from Greenville (Wayne County) through Marble Hill (Bollinger County) to Jackson (Cape Girardeau County). North of a Marble Hill to Jackson line, four to six inches of sleet and snow fell, along with up to one-half inch of freezing rain. Thunder accompanied the wintry precipitation at times. Numerous trees and power lines were brought down, knocking out power to many thousands of homes. Falling tree limbs damaged dozens of residences, including at least five in Bollinger County. Power outages lasted up to a week. Recovery efforts were hampered by a large number of trees blocking roads, especially in rural areas of Wayne, Bollinger, and Cape Girardeau Counties. The National Guard was activated to deliver food and water and conduct door-to-door welfare checks in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger Counties. Emergency shelters were established for those without power for extended periods. On one night, a total of 71 people stayed in three shelters in Marble Hill, Jackson, and Cape Girardeau. The governor requested federal disaster assistance for Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Butler, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties. Removal of tree debris took several weeks of effort in the hardest-hit areas, such as the city of Jackson. Damage to public property in Jackson was estimated at 1.2 million dollars, considerably higher than the May, 2003 tornado. More than 50 utility poles buckled and snapped in Jackson. In Cape Girardeau, a 200-year-old tree was destroyed. Numerous vehicle accidents were reported. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported 35 to 40 collisions in southeast Missouri, not including motorists who slid off the roads.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 77146. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.