NewsFebruary 29, 2012

Storms with possible tornadoes ripped through Missouri and Illinois early Wednesday morning, killing a man in Southeast Missouri and several in Southern Illinois and causing widespread damage.

Wire and staff
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge students run through the debris from the ball fields and concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Students pitched in and gathered debris that was strewn across the field by the school. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge students run through the debris from the ball fields and concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Students pitched in and gathered debris that was strewn across the field by the school. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
The home of 89-year-old Virgil Mowery was destroyed Wednesday when and early morning storm tore through the Oak Ridge area. Mowery, who was asleep when the storm hit, was taken to Southeast Hospital to be treated for injuries.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The home of 89-year-old Virgil Mowery was destroyed Wednesday when and early morning storm tore through the Oak Ridge area. Mowery, who was asleep when the storm hit, was taken to Southeast Hospital to be treated for injuries.
Damaged vehicles are piled together the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to the small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Damaged vehicles are piled together the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to the small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
A moblie home occupied by two Puxico, Mo., residents sits destroyed in a field about 80 yards from its original location after an early morning storm passed through the area Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Both residents were airlifted to a Cape Girardeau, Mo., hospital.  (AP Photo/Daily American Republic, Paul Davis)
A moblie home occupied by two Puxico, Mo., residents sits destroyed in a field about 80 yards from its original location after an early morning storm passed through the area Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Both residents were airlifted to a Cape Girardeau, Mo., hospital. (AP Photo/Daily American Republic, Paul Davis)
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
A friend of Richard and Judy Sanders sorts through debris from where their garage once stood Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm caused damage throughout Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com A friend of Richard and Judy Sanders sorts through debris from where their garage once stood Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm caused damage throughout Oak Ridge, Mo.
An unidentified man clears storm damage the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.  A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste the  small town in Kansas. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
An unidentified man clears storm damage the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste the small town in Kansas. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
D.L. Douglas, 80, surveys the damage to a barn near his house northeast of Puxico, Mo., after a storm ripped through the area around 4 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Douglas and his wife survived without injuries, but a resident of a nearby mobile home died from injuries he suffered when the trailer was lifted and moved about 80 yards from its original location. (AP Photo/Daily American Republic, Paul Davis)
D.L. Douglas, 80, surveys the damage to a barn near his house northeast of Puxico, Mo., after a storm ripped through the area around 4 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Douglas and his wife survived without injuries, but a resident of a nearby mobile home died from injuries he suffered when the trailer was lifted and moved about 80 yards from its original location. (AP Photo/Daily American Republic, Paul Davis)
Lindsey Kidd surveys the damage to her boyfriend's parents' home outside Puxico, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, after a storm ripped through the area. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas. (AP Photo/Daily American Repubic, Paul Davis)
Lindsey Kidd surveys the damage to her boyfriend's parents' home outside Puxico, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, after a storm ripped through the area. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas. (AP Photo/Daily American Repubic, Paul Davis)
A stuffed toy lies in a ditch the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.  A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to the small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
A stuffed toy lies in a ditch the morning after severe storms destroyed several homes and businesses in Harveyville, Kan., Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to the small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
In this image made with a cell phone, a residential area is seen severely damaged in Harrisburg, Ill., after a severe storm swept through the area early Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012. At least three people are confirmed dead in Harrisburg, said Harrisburg Medical Center CEO Vince Ashley, and the city's medical center scrambling to treat an influx of injured. (AP Photo/The Southern, Paul Newton)
In this image made with a cell phone, a residential area is seen severely damaged in Harrisburg, Ill., after a severe storm swept through the area early Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012. At least three people are confirmed dead in Harrisburg, said Harrisburg Medical Center CEO Vince Ashley, and the city's medical center scrambling to treat an influx of injured. (AP Photo/The Southern, Paul Newton)
Residents walk amid downed power lines in their neighborhood in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb.  29, 2012.  A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Residents walk amid downed power lines in their neighborhood in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge high School student Kelly Hahs rolls a magnetic strip along the driveway of her grandparents home to gather loose nails Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge high School student Kelly Hahs rolls a magnetic strip along the driveway of her grandparents home to gather loose nails Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
In this image made with a cell phone, damage is seen to a strip mall in Harrisburg, Ill., after a severe storm swept through the area early Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012. A hospital administrator in Harrisburg says at least three people were killed in the storm that swept through the region.  (AP Photo/The Southern, Paul Newton)
In this image made with a cell phone, damage is seen to a strip mall in Harrisburg, Ill., after a severe storm swept through the area early Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012. A hospital administrator in Harrisburg says at least three people were killed in the storm that swept through the region. (AP Photo/The Southern, Paul Newton)
Sherry Cousins and her brother Bruce Wallace of Hollister, Mo., sit in the wreckage of their secondhand store in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Sherry Cousins and her brother Bruce Wallace of Hollister, Mo., sit in the wreckage of their secondhand store in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Debris lies around the Legends Theater Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo. A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
Debris lies around the Legends Theater Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
Windows and doors blown out of their frames rest against railings at a hotel in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Windows and doors blown out of their frames rest against railings at a hotel in Branson, Mo, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Power lines lie on the ground Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo. A powerful storm system  lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
Power lines lie on the ground Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo. A powerful storm system lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson and laying waste to a small town in Kansas.(AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
Debris is scattered around the Legends Theater Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo., after an apparent tornado left a trail of destruction in the tourist hub. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson. (AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
Debris is scattered around the Legends Theater Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Branson, Mo., after an apparent tornado left a trail of destruction in the tourist hub. A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city of Branson. (AP Photo/The News-Leader, Valerie Mosley)
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Workers check the roof of Oak Ridge School for damage Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Workers check the roof of Oak Ridge School for damage Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge kindergarten student Serenity Ponder adds a wooden board to the clean-up pile Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town, causing heavy damage to the school's ball fields and concession stand. Debris was strewn across the field leading up to the school. "It's really destroyed" said Ponder. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge kindergarten student Serenity Ponder adds a wooden board to the clean-up pile Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town, causing heavy damage to the school's ball fields and concession stand. Debris was strewn across the field leading up to the school. "It's really destroyed" said Ponder. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
The heating and cooling units from the roof of the Oak Ridge School gymnasium were torn from the roof Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The heating and cooling units from the roof of the Oak Ridge School gymnasium were torn from the roof Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge High School sofyball coach Jon Sedgwick helps clean out the storage room that was heavily damaged Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge High School sofyball coach Jon Sedgwick helps clean out the storage room that was heavily damaged Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Jim Paullus of Black River Electric gathers a downed power line along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Jim Paullus of Black River Electric gathers a downed power line along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
A ball cap hangs from debris strewn across the yard of Judy and Richard Sanders Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com A ball cap hangs from debris strewn across the yard of Judy and Richard Sanders Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Part of the roof from the house across the street lays in the yard of Judy and Richard Sanders Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Part of the roof from the house across the street lays in the yard of Judy and Richard Sanders Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
The Missouri Department of Transportation clears debris along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The Missouri Department of Transportation clears debris along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Kyle, left, and Justin Mowery remove a box of photos from the house of their grandfather Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo. Mowery, Sr. was sent to SoutheastHEALTH to be treated for cuts and bruises sustained from the storm. Kyle said they were "picking up the pictures so they don't get wet."
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Kyle, left, and Justin Mowery remove a box of photos from the house of their grandfather Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo. Mowery, Sr. was sent to SoutheastHEALTH to be treated for cuts and bruises sustained from the storm. Kyle said they were "picking up the pictures so they don't get wet."
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
A friend of Judy and Richard Sanders helps clean up the front bedroom of their house Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012 in Oak Ridge. The Sanders' home was damaged from an early morning storm that threw debris from their neighbors house across their property.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com A friend of Judy and Richard Sanders helps clean up the front bedroom of their house Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012 in Oak Ridge. The Sanders' home was damaged from an early morning storm that threw debris from their neighbors house across their property.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
A downed tree is littered with insulation from the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com A downed tree is littered with insulation from the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
A downed tree is littered with insulation from the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com A downed tree is littered with insulation from the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Limbs and broken framework from the shed of Larry Hahs home sets in a pile during the clean-up effort Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Limbs and broken framework from the shed of Larry Hahs home sets in a pile during the clean-up effort Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge High School sofyball coach Jon Sedgwick helps clean out the storage room that was heavily damaged Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge High School sofyball coach Jon Sedgwick helps clean out the storage room that was heavily damaged Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Oak Ridge second grade student Eli Sachse and his younger brother Job help clean up debris from the school's ball fields and concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Oak Ridge second grade student Eli Sachse and his younger brother Job help clean up debris from the school's ball fields and concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Larry Hahs secures tin roofing to a trailer to hall in for scrap Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Larry Hahs secures tin roofing to a trailer to hall in for scrap Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Jonquils bloom outside the heavily damaged home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Jonquils bloom outside the heavily damaged home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
The Missouri Department of Transportation clears debris along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The Missouri Department of Transportation clears debris along Route E Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Faculty and volunteers remove the damaged garage door from the concessions area at Oak Ridge School's ball fields Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Faculty and volunteers remove the damaged garage door from the concessions area at Oak Ridge School's ball fields Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Rhadonda Sedgwick peers over the counter of the Oak Ridge School concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town Sedgwick's husband is the high school's softball coach. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Rhadonda Sedgwick peers over the counter of the Oak Ridge School concession stand Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through the town Sedgwick's husband is the high school's softball coach. Classes at the school were canceled for the day.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
The home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. was heavily damaged leaving insulation and other debris are strewn across the lawn and trees Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. was heavily damaged leaving insulation and other debris are strewn across the lawn and trees Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Part of the roof of the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. was torn off Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Part of the roof of the home of Virgil Mowery, Sr. was torn off Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Larry Hahs moves his tractor from his heavily damaged shed Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Larry Hahs moves his tractor from his heavily damaged shed Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com
Kyle Mowery makes his way across the lawn of his grandfather Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Kyle Mowery makes his way across the lawn of his grandfather Virgil Mowery, Sr. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 after an early morning storm tore through Oak Ridge, Mo.
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Storms with possible tornadoes ripped through Missouri and Illinois early Wednesday morning, killing a man in Southeast Missouri and several in Southern Illinois and causing widespread damage.

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