Windstorm knocks out power, litters streets with tree limbs

A wind storm carrying heavy rains blew through Cape Girardeau early Wednesday, knocking out power in 6,500 homes and littering streets and yards with tree limbs.

AmerenUE officials say that by noon, all but 300 residences had power restored after winds knocked trees into power lines when the storm hit sometime after 2 a.m.

Cape Girardeau public works officials fielded more than 75 calls from people reporting tree limbs or downed trees on their property. While the main streets were clear by early morning, city storm-water and road crews will be clearing roads for the next several days.

Police said there were no injuries. One house was damaged when a tree limb fell through the roof and two vehicles were damaged.

See tomorrow's Southeast Missourian for details.