Relief efforts ramp up following fatal EF-3 tornado in Southeast Missouri

Scott County, Mo. (KBSI) — A powerful EF-3 tornado tore through parts of Southeast Missouri on Friday, May 16, leaving a trail of destruction across Scott County that claimed the lives of two people.

On Sloanville Drive, where the twister struck hardest, homes were reduced to rubble, vehicles were crushed, and utilities remain out in many areas.

“Chaos — that’s all you can really say,” said Greg Wisdom, a local resident whose home was left without power or water. “Some of the people lost it all. I mean, we’re having to throw all our refrigerated items away because we had no way to preserve it any longer. But some of the people lost their houses. They lost all their canned goods, clothing —” he said.

Amid the debris, the remains of daily life — a crumpled recipe for strawberry sheet cake, a puzzle book, a rainbow pillow that reads Kindness Always Wins — offer a poignant glimpse into the lives abruptly upended.

The storm has left many residents in need of shelter and transportation in addition to basic necessities such as food, water and hygiene products.

Local efforts are already underway to provide relief.

At Travelers Rest Church, a large truck stands ready to be filled with donations for tornado survivors in the Sikeston area. Pastor Jason Moore, Sr. said the community has responded quickly to the call for help.

“I’ve had people call me and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to the store now.  I seen your video, I seen your flier, and we want to donate,’” Moore said.

Items can be dropped off at:

• Travelers Rest Church, 224 Alabama St., Sikeston, MO

• CB Fitness, 220 S. Main St., Sikeston, MO