A long track tornado caused damage in Ripley and Butler counties Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The EF2 twister started near the Fourche Creek Conservation area along the Missouri/Arkansas border in Ripley County, the NWS reports.
Reaching wind speeds of 115 miles per hour near Fairdealing, it traveled nearly 39 miles to the western edge of Poplar Bluff.
The NWS estimates peak damage occurred southwest of Doniphan.
NWS meteorologist Allan Diegan said the tornado was an EF1 for the vast majority of its track. He explained they rate a tornado based on its peak strength, no matter how brief.
At this time, the NWS was unable to provide an estimate of the dollar amount damaged. The NWS report states the majority of damage to homes occurred as the result of falling trees. Much of the fallen trees were the result of straight-line winds.
The tornado was one of seven confirmed so far on Sunday. Diegan expects more will be added to the tally as more information is learned.
NWS meteorologist Justin Gibbs reported EF3 tornados in Johnson County, Illinois, and north of Madison Springs, Kentucky. EF2 tornados formed in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and in Southeast Missouri.
EF1 systems made their way through Grace, Trigg, and Christians counties in Kentucky.
“It wouldn’t shock us for a few more to pop up,” Gibbs said as more data comes in.
“Hundreds of trees were uprooted and snapped along the tornadoes entire path,” the NWS said.
Several homes and outbuildings also sustained damage along a path that was 400 yards wide at points.
This includes a garage pulled off a cabin near Fourche Creek and a roof mostly removed from a home, pulling down exterior walls, northeast of Fairdealing.
Butler County Emergency Manager Robbie Myers said a Multi-Agency Resource Center will be set up in Sikeston. The MARC will have state and federal agencies, legal assistance, the Salvation Army, and other organizations to help with storm relief. Myers described it as a, “one stop shop.” The MARC still needs to be finalized with the state emergency manager.