In a terrifying overnight outbreak, at least four tornadoes tore through eastern Missouri late Monday, packing winds up to 100 miles per hour and leaving behind a trail of damaged homes, downed trees, and power outages. The strongest of the storms hit just before 10 p.m., catching many residents off guard as they prepared for bed.
Confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS) early Tuesday morning, the twisters touched down in Ste. Genevieve, Iron, Washington, and St. Francois counties, as well as Randolph County in southern Illinois. One tornado, classified as EF-1, carved a path north of Maxwells Mill along State Highway DD, bringing winds strong enough to rip off roofs and snap large tree limbs.
Tornado Details and Damage
Meteorologists have confirmed that all four tornadoes were part of the same storm system that produced severe supercell activity across the Midwest.
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The EF-1 tornado in Maxwells Mill was particularly intense, with winds reaching 100 mph. It downed power lines, damaged barns and homes, and knocked out electricity for several hundred residents.
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Other tornadoes reported in neighboring counties caused widespread tree damage and localized flooding from associated thunderstorms.
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No fatalities have been reported in these latest storms, though several homes were heavily damaged, and multiple communities are still surveying the extent of the destruction.
This Comes After a Deadly Weekend
These latest tornadoes follow a deadly stretch of storms that ravaged the central U.S. over the weekend. Missouri was already reeling from a powerful EF-3 tornado in the St. Louis region that packed 152 mph winds, damaged over 5,000 structures, and contributed to a multi-state death toll of at least 27 people.
Residents are still recovering, and now another round of dangerous weather has deepened the crisis.
What to Do Now
With more unsettled weather expected through the week, emergency officials are urging people to stay alert:
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Have a storm plan in place: Know where to take shelter, especially if you live in a mobile home or flood-prone area.
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Monitor local weather alerts on radio, TV, or a weather app with emergency notifications enabled.
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Prepare a tornado emergency kit, including water, flashlights, batteries, medications, and important documents.
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Seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued. The safest place is a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
Looking Ahead
Meteorologists warn that while the immediate threat of tornadoes has passed, severe weather may return midweek, bringing more strong winds, hail, and possible funnel clouds to parts of Missouri and neighboring states.
Cleanup crews are working around the clock in affected counties, and damage assessments are expected to continue for several days.
