Updated preliminary tornado damage survey results from may 13 event

Public Information Statement as of 9:30 PM CDT on May 14, 2009

Damage surveys conducted by National Weather Service in conjunction
with emergency management have found evidence of three tornadoes
from storms in Sullivan and Adair counties which struck on may 13,
2009. All tornadoes appeared to have been produced by the same
supercell thunderstorm.

1) the first tornado to form touched down just North of Milan Missouri
and proceeded east where it destroyed a Mobile home killing a female
occupant. The tornado continued eastward for a few more miles
damaging numerous trees before lifting. The damage produced by
this tornado indicates it was of EF-1 strength.

2) the second tornado to form touched down approximately 5 miles
west of Novinger near Highway 149. This tornado destroyed a house
and an out building west of Novinger before destroying a Mobile
home...and producing additional power line and minor building damage
on the south side of Novinger. The tornado paralleled Highway 6 east
of Novinger...damaging numerous power poles for a few more miles
before lifting. This tornado produced EF-1 damage along its track.

3) the third tornado produced by this storm touched down about 2
miles west northwest of Kirksville and moved eastward through the
northern part of the city. This tornado killed two people just
northwest of Kirksville and went on to produce EF-1 damage to
several structures in northern Kirksville including damage to a car
dealership and several homes. Initially damage found east of
Kirksville was thought to be the result of a separate
tornado...however further analysis of the damage path shows that the
tornado which struck northern Kirksville continued eastward into a
rural area and strengthened. Several farmsteads were struck by this
tornado east of Kirksville and at one point the tornado produced
EF-2 damage. Aerial surveys conducted by law enforcement indicated
the tornado finally lifted before reaching Clay Missouri.

Additionally...there were several eye witness accounts of smaller
satellite tornadoes occurring at the same time as the larger main
tornadoes. Damage from these potential satellite tornadoes was not
found...however the existence of these tornadoes is quite plausible.

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