Updated at 5:58 pm on 05/16/2025
At around 5:50 pm Friday evening, multiple power outages were reported by several Missouri Electric Cooperatives, with the largest number of customers in the Citizens Electric Cooperative service area: Cape Girardeau County: 5,108; Ste. Genevieve: 29, and in Perry County: 806.
Multiple outages were also reported in Ameren Missouri's service area, near Vanduser, Sikeston, Charleston, Park Hills, Doe Run, French Village, and outside of Hillsboro.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for most of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois until 7 pm.
The threat of severe weather should move out of the area after 7 pm Friday.
Original Story
A strong storm system is predicted to sweep across the Southeast Missouri Region Friday, bringing strong to severe storms, potentially bringing hurricane-force winds and tornadoes.
The main line of storms is expected to move into Southeast Missouri and Southeast Illinois by 2 to 5 pm, eventually moving east towards Evansville and Paducah by 4 to 7 pm.
However, scattered dangerous storms are possible as early as 1 to 2 pm.
A few stronger or intense, longer-tracked tornadoes are possible, which could come either from individual cells or a fast-moving line that may develop.
Earlier Friday, Old Town Cape cancelled the 'Tunes At Twilight' outdoor concert, originally scheduled at 7 pm at the Ivers Square Gazebo.
Due to the threat of severe weather, Southeast Missouri State University also announced it would close at 1 p.m. Friday. All offices will be closed for the rest of the day at all campuses, stating that additional updates will be sent as necessary, and will be available at semo.edu/closings.
