Severe Thunderstorm Leaves Excelsior Springs in the Dark: Citizen Photos Capture the Aftermath

Chad Birdsong chainsaws a fallen tree in Crown Hill Cemetery
City workers clear a tree damaged by Tuesday's storm. Photo S. Jason Cole

On Tuesday, July 2nd KHMO Radio reported that at around 8:30 pm, the highest wind speed was confirmed by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center near Excelsior Springs with gusts estimated at speeds of 70-75 miles per hour. The story was later updated to reflect Jackson County, MO winds at a high speed of 89 miles per hour. KMHO reports that wind gusts of those levels would be a category 1 hurricane-force wind speed, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale

The National Weather Service’s storm reports reflect the following for the Excelsior Springs area:

Citizens quickly began reporting what they were seeing into the Excelsior Citizen Facebook Group and in the “Storm Thread” discussion, citizens reported that power was out on the west side of town, including Excelsior Springs Hospital, who’s radiology department was delayed but emergency services were never affected. They ran on generators and in a social media announcement thanked Ameren UE in restoring their power. 

Most dramatic was Krystal Land Gilbert’s capture of the shelf cloud as it appeared on Y Highway, north of Crystal Lakes.

Photo Krystal Land Gilbert

Daniella Marie shared some amazing images of the storm rolling into Excelsior Springs

Photo Daniella Marie

Rhiannon Holmes shared her view from Ray County Line Road

Photo Rhiannon Holmes

Wyatt Pontalion alerted everyone in the Crown Hill Cemetery area to know what the big crashing sound was!

Photo Wyatt Pontalion

The next morning City of Excelsior Springs Public Works Director Chad Birdsong was found chainsawing through the overturned tree, with a crew of men that were ready to haul off the trunk and limbs, making the work move quickly.

Photos S. Jason Cole

Crews throughout the Northland rushed to emergency calls for transformers that had blown and limbs down on power lines. In Excelsior Springs it was reported that a transformer on Martin Avenue blew up and there was a second one on Martin and Kimball was on fire. 

Shylo Akey captured the power lines on fire on Martin Street, as it was in their front yard. She reported a transformer box blowing up and then a few houses up another transformer caught fire and blew.

Photo Shylo Akey

Tori May reported to the community that there was a big branch down on 69 Highway by the water tower. She warned that in the right lane going toward Price Chopper that everyone should be careful. Brenna Durham reported calling MoDOT for the light on 69 Highway that was knocked loose and lots of branches down everywhere.

Heartbreaking was to see the To the Moon Fireworks stand, in its second year, get hit really hard. Lisa Seneker-McElwee shared a photo of the damage and reported that Carson had more fireworks in storage and salvaged as much as possible. She later reiterated that no damaged fireworks would be sold, to ensure safety for all. They thanked volunteers for coming out to help them clean up and reorganize, allowing them to open again. 

Photo To The Moon Fireworks
Photo Lisa Seneker-McElwee

Nick Rose shared a photo of a tree down on a home on Michele Drive stating, “Wet Down burst winds 70-75mph by my estimate through Excelsior. I saw lots of tree damage and some power line damage. Trees on buildings / shingles blown off in places.

I’m also certified in storm damage assessment through MO state emergency management. Multiple things have been reported to NWS on the northside of town and don’t need additional reports. I hope everyone is unharmed from tonight.”

Photo Nick Rose

Andi Lynn showed damage to her tree.

Photo Andi Lynn

Brandon Behunin shared damage that was done to his tree by being hit by lightning.

Photo Brandon Behunin

Danny Mcnair shared multiple views of the storm over the area!

Photos Danny Mcnair

Michaela Murdock captured this amazing shot of the storm cloud and lightning hitting the ground.

Photo Michaela Murdock

Samantha Stanton reported not having any power on Sherri Lane and having trees down in their backyard.

Photo Samantha Stanton

Tee Ara reported her fence being broke and having tree damage.

Photo Tee Ara

Carol Travaglione shared this image of a tree at Century Bark Dog Park having been damaged.

Photo Carol Travaglione

Did you get storm damage at your house? We would love to hear about it. Leave your feedback in the comments.

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