Late storms produce EF-0s near Butterfield, Purdy

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The National Weather Service in Springfield has confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Barry County just before midnight on June 13.

According to damage survey results, the first twister was on June 13 from 11:48-11:54 p.m., touching down along Highway 97 to the south of Capps Creek, northwest of Purdy and southwest of Monett.

The tornado was rated an EF-0 with winds of 85 miles per hour, traveling 4.8 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards. The intermittent tornado path tracked east-northeast before lifting just west of Highway 37. 

Several uprooted trees and large branches snapped along the path. Walls collapsed on two farm outbuildings, with sheet metal tossed over 300 yards.

The second tornado was also on June 13, from 11:54-11:57 p.m., touching down near Farm Road 1078, just northwest of Butterfield.

The tornado was rated an EF-0 with winds of 85 miles per hour, traveling 1.7 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards. The path tracked east across Highway 37 and lifted just east of Farm Road 1095.

A couple old wooden power poles snapped or were brought down along Highway 37, and several trees and large branches snapped along the path.

The damage forced a temporary closure of Highway U at Highway 37, with power lines across the roadway four lines high, preventing any vehicles from turning onto Highway U from Highway 37.

The Barry County tornadoes accounted for two of three produced by the line. The third tornado was near Fidelity in Jasper County, an EF-1 with winds of 90 miles per hour traveling 1.2 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards.

That tornado uprooted multiple trees 2-3 feet in diameter, and a home suffered significant roof and structural damage from a fallen tree. A truck was also crushed under the tree before the tornado lifted.