Severe storms spawned tornadoes in several parts of the Ozarks Sunday evening, including the Springfield area.
What We Know: The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF0 tornado touched down at 6:40pm Sunday along Farm Road 131 southeast of Battlefield. Tree debris was visible from this area. and an eyewitness account depicted the tornado as it crossed Plainview Road at James Road. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 70 miles per hour with a width of 50 yards.
What Remains Unclear: How many other tornadoes will be confirmed by damage assessment teams, which will be sent out Monday to inspect damage to several areas where tornadoes were reported.
Where the Damage Occurred: While there were numerous tornado warnings issued Sunday evening across the Ozarks, tornado debris signatures were observed by the National Weather Service southeast of Highlandville, southeast of Rogersville, near Sparta, and in northwest Douglas County near the community of Ongo. A TDS indicates debris is detected on radar from an apparent tornado.
Where the Word Damage Occurred: Structural damage was reported by law enforcement from the tornado that moved northeast of Sparta Sunday evening. Christian County Emergency Services reported a camper blown over and possibly a roof missing along Jenkins Road off Highway 125. A roof collapsed, and multiple houses had damage. Additional damage occurred on Highway 14 E and Villa Drive in Sparta, withe the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and Sparta Fire assisting with debris removal from the roadways.
Other Factors: Several Flash Flood Warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Greene, Christian, Webster, Douglas, Dallas, Polk, Barry, Lawrence, and Stone Counties until early Monday morning. Several inches of rain fell in these areas Sunday evening, causing flash flooding to occur.
(Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service Springfield, MO)