Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Kimberling City has survived the Leap-Day Tornado of February 29th. As far as we know, we have sustained no damage. As of today, some in our congregation are still without power and have suffered property damage. And again, as far as we know (Deo volente), we have had no physical injuriesfrom the storm.
Here is a condensed article from the online edition of Feb 29th’s Springfield News-Leader.
Kimberling City officials counted more than 40 homes damaged by the early morning storm but only four people [were] injured. None of the injuries were considered serious.
Stone County Presiding Commissioner Dennis Wood stood near the debris from the damaged Kimberling Inn Resort. “We dodged a bullet. It could’ve been so much worse,” Wood said. … An early estimate of the Kimberling Marina suggests about 170 boats were damaged or lost. Power is expected to be out in [some parts of] the city until Saturday.
Wood noted the damage was limited to isolated areas and, for the most part, the city’s bait shops and lake resorts would soon be open for business… Areas near Gobbler Mountain, Stormy Point and around Joe Bald Road [particularly, Stone Road] appear to have taken the brunt of the storm in Kimberling City.
Kimberling Inn after the tornado
