EF-2 tornado strikes Dexter; hospital damaged, working to reopen

On Saturday evening a storm system tore through the northern section of Dexter damaging numerous homes as well as dropping trees and power lines. Dexter City Administrator Trevor Pulley said on Sunday afternoon that hundreds of homes were damaged as a result.

A volunteer with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief cuts a tree at home on Hunt St. in Dexter.

A team from the National Weather Service arrived on Sunday and its preliminary findings determined an EF-2 tornado was responsible for the damage. The tornado cut a path 5.5 miles long crossing over the North Outer Road and Highway 60. It then took a path north of Business 60 damaging SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County, going through a residential section of Dexter including the Dexter Housing Authority. Damage was also seen at the Dexter Cemetery and West Park. The National Weather Service said the tornado peaked with 120 mile-per-hour winds and its maximum width was 175 yards. It began at 8:18 p.m. Saturday and ended at 8:29 p.m. There were no injuries or deaths.

The city closed off access Saturday evening to the impacted parts of Dexter to allow city crews and emergency personnel to respond. The crews worked through the night Saturday beginning the task of clearing roads and cleanup. Roads were gradually reopened. Dexter Fire Chief and City EMA Director Don Seymore said the city is still compiling a list of the damage caused by the storm.

Four chainsaw teams have arrived in Dexter. They are Team Rubicon, Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, Crossroad Fellowship List and Christian Aid Ministry. Seymore said in a news release that these crews will be contacting homeowners to assist them with cutting trees and moving them to the edge of the road. The chainsaw teams are all volunteering their time. Seymore cautioned residents against scams in which residents are asked to pay for a service that may not be provided. The teams will be wearing their organization shirts with name badges. Residents may contact the Dexter Fire Department at 573-624-3425.

Dexter City Administrator Trever Pulley said the cleanup will be a lengthy process. He said city crews are working diligently and will do so until the process in complete. The city will pick up all storm debris.

“You get a good feeling, a grateful feeling to be able to help people out it need,” said Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief team leader Arlin Hadler as his team worked Monday afternoon. “That is what we enjoy doing and we go all over the United States helping people in need.”

SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County

Following the storm SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County was evacuated and patients were transferred to area hospitals. The Stoddard County Ambulance District received mutual aid from South Scott Ambulance District, Medic One, Butler County Ambulance and New Madrid County Ambulance in the transfer of patients.

SoutheastHEALTH issued an update Tuesday saying it is continuing its damage assessment and repair plans following an EF-2 tornado that moved through the Dexter area Saturday night, causing damage to SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County. The following information outlines the progress:

• Structural engineers have evaluated the building with a good overall report. Major progress has been

made to repair roof leaks. Once complete, cleanup will begin in inpatient/outpatient units.

• It is SoutheastHEALTH’s goal to restore emergency services operations as soon as possible. With

current resources on site, it is likely that this goal will be achieved within 24 hours.

• Power to the hospital and adjacent medical office buildings were restored Tuesday morning, and

emergency generators have been shut down.

• Front entrance damage is being repaired. They expect the automatic doors to be fully functional later

this week.

• Final calibrations are being made to restore lab and radiology services.

• Following emergency services restoration, we hope to reopen the Behavioral Health Unit and

Inpatient/Same Day Infusion Services in quick order.

• SoutheastHEALTH continue to be on full facility diversion until further notice. In the meantime, the closest ER

departments are in Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, both about 20 miles from Dexter. The Stoddard County

EMS Service was not impacted by the tornado.

A command center has been set up at the Dexter hospital and will remain an active resource until all hospital and clinic services are back to full function.