BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Multiple boats were damaged as a result of thunderstorm winds on July 29 in the Shell Knob area.

According to the Central Crossing Fire Protection District in Shell Knob, at about 7:54 p.m. on July 29, crews responded to the Discovery Bay area for a report of boats in distress.

Upon arrival, responders located a boat dock that had been flipped over, and multiple boats at the dock had been flipped over, as well.

“Units swiftly checked for any persons in the water, as some reports indicated that there were people nearby, however, no injuries have been reported as of this time,” a District press release said. “We have also heard of at least another seven docks had cables break, or come loose. During the evening, CCFPD also responded to three additional calls within an hour of each other.”

Multiple trees in the area were also snapped, believed to be a result of straight line winds.

“We want to use this as a reference as to why it is important to seek shelter off of the lake during any type of storm,” the release said. “It doesn’t take much of a storm to have isolated winds that can uptick, especially across the lake, which can lead to injuries, or worse. This instance was lucky as no one was injured during this event.”

The District was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Division, Southern Stone County Fire Protection District and Stone County Emergency Services.

According to a National Weather Service damage report, the incident, listed as thunderstorm wind damage, occurred in Stone County, about five miles east of Shell Knob.