Storm outs power in Jackson, Cape

A strong storm front that moved through Cape Girardeau County about 4 p.m. left significant parts of Jackson without power and dropped enough pea-sized hail to cover the ground, a witness said.

Calls about power outages seemed centered in the Indian Hills area and along Shawnee Boulevard, said Sharon Raines, customer service representative for the Jackson Public Works Department.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 4:13 p.m. when a funnel cloud was reported near the Procter & Gamble plant in northeast Cape Girardeau County

At 4:30, emergency workers were rushing to downed power lines in various locations in Cape Girardeau, including the intersection of Sprigg Street and North Street. Downed trees were reported on South Lorimier Street.

The storm packed winds of up to 100 miles per hour, the weather service reported.

Storm brings hail in Jackson Tuesday afternoon, January 29, 2008. (Submitted by Denny Stortz)

Two tractor-trailers were overturned near Sikeston at exit 67 on Interstate 55. One was completely blocking both of the southbound lanes, while the other was in the median.

Two more tractor trailers were in the median at mile marker 74 and one more at 77.6, but were not blocking traffic. At 4:27 p.m. police and ambulance were on the scene.

Northbound traffic was halted on I-55 between Benton and Scott City, a witness reported.

(Submitted by Denny Stortz)

At Ford Groves auto dealership at 825 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson, assistant sales manager Joe Hercik reported hail and power outages.

The hail, Hercik said, was "about pea size. It is enough to cover the ground. It looked almost like you had snow cover."

At 4:30, AmerenUE's Web site was showing more than 1,600 people without power in Cape Girardeau.