Three towns on boil-water advisory

The towns of Randles in Cape Girardeau County, Perkins in Scott County and Painton in Stoddard County are under a boil-water advisory until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Tap water intended for drinking, food preparation, making ice and brushing teeth should be boiled for at least three minutes.

"We have had a terrible power loss here. We spent the entire day searching for a generator to put on the pump an old water line system," said Bill Knoderer, board member of Stoddard County Water District No. 2, which serves all three communities.

The generator powers the water pump but does not extend to the district's chlorinating system.

More than 200 people are still without power in Perkins. Residents who need shelter can go to the fire station on Route P. Bring sleeping bags or blankets, as no cots are available.

This week's storm delivered Perkins fourth power outage and second boil-water advisory since Christmas. SEMO Electric Cooperative supplies the city's power.

"We've got six people on our board of directors, and I guarantee you I'm going to twist enough arms to buy a generator," Knoderer said.