More stormy weather in the forecast for this weekend

In the aftermath of severe thunderstorms that struck in Southeast Missouri Thursday, even more rain and wind are forecast for the weekend.

Thursday's morning and evening storms flooded businesses, damaged homes and stranded motorists who attempted to drive through pooled water on roadways.

No serious injuries were reported in the Cape Girardeau area as a result of the storm.

In total, 3.58 inches of rainfall were reported Thursday at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

The region has a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms today with an 80 percent chance of heavy rain tonight.

The weekend storms are forecast as severe, with strong winds bringing the chance of a tornado, hail and more flooding, the National Weather Service stated.

Downed power lines and poles knocked out power to 9,000 AmerenUE customers Thursday night, but most had their electricity restored by Friday, including about 500 Cape Girardeau-area customers.

Friday afternoon, more than 800 customers in Sikeston, East Prairie and Dexter remained without power, according to Ameren's Web site.

Flooding in the area forced closure of several roadways, but by Friday most had reopened.

Parkview Street in Jackson's City Park was closed due to flooding but reopened Friday, according to a Jackson police dispatcher.

Route A in Cape Girardeau County between Route U and Whitewater reopened Friday afternoon, as did Route U between Route A and Route N near the junction of routes T, U and N. Route RA between Route U and County Road 383 near Lake Girardeau also reopened Friday.

However, the entire length of Route H in Bollinger County near Zalma remained closed Friday afternoon due to standing water, according to Missouri Department of Transportation spokeswoman Connie Robinson.

The roadway may remain closed through the weekend, she said.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127