Businesses cleanup after powerful storms blew through Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.(KBSI) — Businesses in downtown Cape Girardeau are picking up the pieces after a powerful storm swept through the area overnight, leaving behind significant damage.

On Spanish Street, debris covered the sidewalks as shop owners cleaned up the aftermath. One of them was Charles Bertrand, with the Spanish Street Mercantile, who worked late covering his broken window.

“We didn’t want to know what happened to the roof,” Bertrand says. “We didn’t have any leaks downstairs, so we thought we might be okay.” But when he finally climbed to the rooftop, the extent of the damage was clear. “All the heavy capping was pulled off—one by one—all the way down the row. It was like someone had taken them off individually.”

Bertrand described the damage as unlike anything he had seen before. The winds not only damaged his own roof cappings, but also damaged nearby buildings. “It took bricks off a chimney next door and blew out two front windows with a burst,” he said.

Despite the damage, Bertrand said his store quickly got back on its feet. “Oh, we’re open. We fixed it all last night with the help of some great volunteers—other downtown business owners. We cleaned it up, boarded everything, and new windows are on the way.”

As cleanup begins, Cape Girardeau Mayor Stacy Kinder is asking residents to stay alert, saying that the threat isn’t over.

“This event isn’t completely done,” she said. “We’re right in the middle of the bull’s-eye and expecting more rain in the coming days.”

Mayor Kinder praised Cape Girardeau’s Public Works Department for proactively preparing for potential flooding. “They’ve been clearing culverts and drainage areas to help water flow more freely,” she says.

She also encouraged residents to assist by keeping their properties clear of debris. “That helps prevent litter from clogging storm drains and allows water to drain properly,” Kinder said.

Her final message was a reminder to stay safe, “People might feel confident in their vehicles, but it doesn’t take much water to cause a car to slide off the road.”

As the city braces for more severe weather, officials advise residents to closely monitor local news and weather alerts.