Updated: April 9 at 8:42 pm
Nearly a week after the destructive EF-2 tornado and storms in Delta, Missouri, the Delta R-V School District resumed classes.
Counseling services were being offered to those affected by the storms, and food distributions continued in the town at the Community Center.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Municipal Election was still held, but at the High School. Massive cleanup and rebuilding continue as power is restored to much of the town through the work of numerous volunteers and utility crews from around the region.
On April 2, 68-year-old Chief Moore responded to the Delta, Missouri area after an EF-2 tornado caused widespread destruction. He was fatally injured while responding to a stranded vehicle after multiple power lines were downed by the storm.
In honor of Whitewater Fire Protection District Chief Garry Moore, Governor Mike Kehoe ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Cape Girardeau County, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City, and firehouses statewide on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from sunrise to sunset.
“Garry Moore’s life was devoted to serving his community, state, and nation,” Governor Mike Kehoe said in a statement.
The flags will be held at half-staff on the day of Chief Moore’s memorial services. Governor Kehoe's proclamation can be seen on the state's website.
Kehoe continued to speak about Chief Moore's military service and community dedication.
“He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, during which he first joined the fire service. After retiring from the Navy, he joined the Whitewater Fire Protection District, was soon promoted to chief, and spent over three decades responding to fires and other emergencies. Selfless people like Chief Moore are the foundation upon which our strong Missouri communities are built. Claudia and I are keeping his family and community in our prayers during this difficult time", said Kehoe, in the Wed. April 9 press release.
Updated: April 8 at 9:29 pm
The Mississippi River is already above flood stage in some locations, and others are expected to rise above flood stage through the week.
Crests on the Mississippi River are expected in the next few days. Multiple roads continue to be closed across the area, mainly due to flooding.
Nearly a week after the destructive EF-2 tornado and storms in Delta, Missouri, Delta R-5 Schools will resume classes.
As power is restored to much of the town thanks to numerous volunteers and regional utility companies, massive cleanup and recovery efforts continue.
David Heeb, Superintendent of the Delta R-5 School District shared a sincere and heart-felt 'thank you' to the work of those who have helped with the ongoing relief and recovery efforts on the school's Facebook page.
The Southeast District of the Missouri Department of Transportation announced multiple road closures, mainly due to ongoing flooding or storm damage.
Current road conditions are on the Traveler Information Map.
Updated: April 8 at 10:41 am
The long road to recovery continues across the region. Widespread flooding is now the greatest obstacle, as multiple roads remain closed.
In Delta, Missouri, debris clean-up, utility restoration, and area flooding are some of the many challenges.
A post from the City of Delta, MO, early Tuesday, April 8, clarified some of the ongoing relief and recovery efforts.
An online feed from the school stated that Delta R-V would remain closed on Tuesday, April 8, though volunteers from all around the region are making progress. Power continues to be restored, roads are being cleared, and residents are salvaging and repairing what they can.
The Southeast District of the Missouri Department of Transportation announced multiple road closures at 4 pm on Monday, April 7, due to flash flooding or consistent flooding across state roadways.
Current road conditions are on the Traveler Information Map.
Closed Missouri Routes Include:
Butler County:
- Route 158 – MO 142 to 67 South
- Route N- County Road 243 to County Road 231
- Route 142 – Route 158 to Route HH
- Route 142 – Route HH to Route EE
- Route 142 – County Road 355 to Route B Ripley County
- Route 53 – Route UUthe Black River
- Route HH- County Road 203 to County Road 214
Bollinger County:
- Route T – Mo 91 to .5 mile south of MO 91
- Route H- N of County Road 538 to S of CR 534
Cape Girardeau County:
- Route 25- Route P to Route 77 (Storm Debris)
- Route EE- Route 25 to County Road 249 (Storm Debris)
- Route N – MO 25 to County Road 238
- Route N – Route U to Route NN
- Route U- Route N to Black Hole
Carter County:
- Route M- County Road 105 to the end of Route M
- Route Y- Fourth St. To 1 mile north of Fremont
- Route 60 EB- County Road 125 to County Road 119
Dunklin County:
- Route WW - Route J to MO 53
- Route UU- County Road 729 to County Road 711
- Route DD – Saint Francis River to end of state maintenance
- Route E- College Ave. To Vandeventer St in Kennett
- Route 153 – Route 25 ro Route EE
Howell County:
- Route 142- Route FF to Route E
- Route 63 – Route P to Route 14 *Head to Head Traffic in Northbound Lane*
- Route K- CR 6720 North and South
- Route Y- County Road 3949 to County Road 3450
Iron County:
- Route F- Route 49 to Route FF in Madison County
New Madrid County:
- Route 61- Route D to I-55
- Route H – Route E to County Road 621
- Route B – Route 153 to Route 162
- Route W – Route E to County Road 621
- Route V – Route P to Route 80
- Route 61 – Route M to I-55
- Route OO- Route BB to County Road 525
- Route 62- Route HH to Route W
- Route HH-Route 62 to one half mile west of Route 62
- Route 80- Route AA to Route B
- Route P- County Road 719 to Saint Johns Diversion Ditch
- Route 162 – County Road 439 to the Mississippi River
- Route P – Route V to Route BB
Madison County:
- Route V- Route F to end of Route V
Mississippi County:
- Route 62- Route 77 & 62 junction to Bertrand
- Route AB- Route N to Route J
- Route OO-Route BB to County Road 525
- Route B- Route C to Route 80
- Route BB- Route 80 to County Road 532
- Route NN- County Road 222 to County Road 351
Ozark County:
- Route 95 – Route N to MO 14
- Route H- Route PP to Route 160
- Route 142- over Bennetts Bayou in Bakersfield
Ripley County:
- Route A – two miles south of Route 21 to the Arkansas State line
- Route H – Route 142 to AR state line
- Route H – Route H and KK intersection
- Route KK- Route N to Route H
Reynolds County:
- Route B – County Road 785 to County Road 784
- Route F- Over Logan Creek in Ellington
Scott County:
- Route W- Route P to Route CC
Shannon County:
- Route NN- Route H to County Road 522
- Route N – entire route
- Route HH – 3 miles south of MO 106
Stoddard County:
- Route Y – Route DD to Route AB
- Route AB- Route N to County Road 567
- Route BB – County Road 208 to Route C
- Route E – Route N to County Road 542
- Route Z- Route VV to County Road 725
- Route M- Route K to County Road 250
Ste. Genevieve
- Route 32 – Gisi Road to Siebert Road
Wayne County:
- Route KK – 1 mile from 34 at low water crossing
- Route FF – County Road 380 to 2 miles south of County Road 380
- Route CC – Route 49 to County Road 348
- Route EE- County Road 204 then east one half a mile
- Route Z- One half mile east and west of Route TT
Updated: April 4 at 4:03 pm
After a tornado outbreak in the early to late evening hours of April 2, the process of clean-up begins for the region, while the region braces for the threat of more severe storms and significant rainfall.
Late Friday, Governor Mike Kehoe was urging Missourians to avoid traveling in areas experiencing heavy rainfall and flash flooding this weekend, as the State of Missouri deploys resources and personnel to respond to dangerous flooding.
A Flood Watch is now in effect through Sunday morning for most of the area, with flash flooding and flooding caused by excessive rainfall expected. With 2 to 8 inches already fallen in many locations, and another 4 to 8 inches forecast, the National Weather Service said it was likely to develop into a 'particularly dangerous situation'.
A Tornado Watch is also in effect for parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee until 10 pm Friday.
“While we have activated the Missouri National Guard and our state team is positioning swift water rescue teams and other response assets, we urge all Missourians to follow their local weather forecasts very closely and avoid driving into flooded areas and areas known to experience flash flooding. Let’s protect ourselves and allow first responders to get emergency help where it’s needed”, Governor Kehoe said in a statement.
Disaster Response
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Patrol Division has deployed five swift water rescue boat teams and the dive team to southeast Missouri. In addition to the Patrol resources, there are ten other boat teams deployed to southeast Missouri.
The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is coordinating with local and regional fire service mutual aid coordinators to track the positioning and capabilities of local swift-water rescue teams.
The Missouri National Guard has deployed personnel to Butler County, equipped with highwater vehicles and mission capabilities to include motorist assistance, levee reinforcement and monitoring, sandbagging assistance, commodities distribution, and other potential needs.
The State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated to a Level 3 with SEMA operations, planning and emergency human services staff as well as emergency support partners from the Highway Patrol, MoDOT, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Task Force 1 and the American Red Cross to assist with resource coordination and requests for assistance.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has also activated a Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue Team from Missouri Task Force 1 to deploy to Poplar Bluff—a 48-person specialized rescue team that includes a 35-person specialized search and rescue team with an embedded swift water rescue capability, a logistical support team, and other specialized resources and personnel.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is mobilizing additional resources to impacted areas of the state to assist with traffic control, signage, and barricades for flooded and closed roadways.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources stands ready to assist communities that sustain storm damage with managing their debris and providing technical assistance to drinking water or wastewater facilities impacted by power failures or flooding.
Damage and Loss of Life
In the Southeast Missouri area, one especially hard-hit community was Delta.
A Delta R-5 School District Facebook post stated the Red Cross was set up in their FEMA Building for anyone who needed assistance. In the post, David Heeb, the Superintendent of Delta R-5 School District also said the school would be out for the rest of the week, though only minor damage to the school was reported.
In a drive through downtown Cape Girardeau, several businesses’ windows could be seen boarded up after tornado wind damage.
After assessing damage on Thursday, April 3rd, the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Stoddard and Cape Counties.
The first was an EF-2, reaching an estimated windspeed of 125 mph, beginning two miles east of Advance in Stoddard County, ending three miles North of Chaffee. It was on the ground for nearly 15 miles, killing one person.
According to reports, the death was that of Garry Moore, the Whitewater Fire Protection District Fire Chief. Chief Moore died April 2, 2025, during a response to the widespread tornado damage in the Delta, Missouri area.
A preliminary storm report by the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY showed, the tornado began just northeast of Advance, running northeast along Highway 25. It damaged approximately 200 structures as it moved northeast, causing severe roof damage to many structures.
Power poles were snapped, trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. The tornado continued along Highway 25 into the community of Delta, where many of the community's residents where inside a FEMA community storm shelter. The tornado severely damaged several buildings in Delta and continued northeast, ending just south of Dutchtown.
The second tornado in the region was an EF-1, reaching an estimated windspeed of 100 mph, touching down three miles Southwest of Cape Girardeau, and ending two miles Northeast in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois.
The report states the tornado began near the Dalhousie Golf Club and moved northeast into the southwest side of the city of Cape Girardeau, north of Shawnee Parkway.
Tree damage and minor structural damage to apartments, businesses, and homes were caused by the tornado as it moved east into downtown Cape Girardeau. It then crossed the Mississippi River and snapped power poles north of East Cape Girardeau.
The Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency also announced multiple shelters in Advance, Puxico, Bloomfield, Bernie, Grayridge, and Dexter.
Cleanup
Though storm cleanup varies by city, the City of Cape Girardeau Public Works Department stated it will be picking up limbs from the storm, and expects to take calls for the service through Monday, April 14.
For pick up, they recommended dragging limbs to the curb. When ready for a pickup, residents can call 573-339-6351, email their address to capepublicworks@cityofcape.org, or use the Citizen Problem Reporter at cityofcape.org/report to let them know.
The Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management office has also established points of contact for physical donations and volunteer management in response to the weather event in Delta, MO.
Cape Girardeau Public Works and the Cape Girardeau City Government also offered several tips for preparing for significant flash flooding.
Power Outages
By 6:30 pm, Ameren reported 7,361 outages; Ozark Border Electric Cooperative reported just 5 members without power; and SEMO Electric Cooperative—which covers the counties of Scott, Stoddard, Bollinger, and parts of Cape Girardeau County—reported 639 members without power.
More Flash-Flooding and Severe Weather Predicted
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Office in Paducah, Kentucky, calls for Showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall through the night, with most areas expected to receive between 6 to 8 inches by Sunday. A few areas in the Bootheel could see between 8 to 10 inches.
Additional flash flooding will become increasingly likely Thursday night. Some River flooding is also expected to develop on some area rivers.
A few severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible mainly in the Missouri Bootheel through late Thursday night.
————————————————————————————————
Updated: April 3 at 10:00 am
The process of clean-up now begins for the region, as it braces for the threat of more severe storms and significant rain.
In the Southeast Missouri area, one especially hard-hit community was Delta.
The Delta R-5 School District Facebook post stated the Red Cross was set up in their FEMA Building for anyone who needs assistance. In the post, David Heeb, the Superintendent of Delta R-5 School District also stated that the school would be out for the rest of the week.
Early Thursday morning, the American Red Cross of Missouri announced it was opening a shelter in Delta, Missouri at 324 N. Liberty St.
The Stoddard County Emergency Agency also shared shelter information for locations in the region.
———————————————————————————————
Updated: April 2 at 9:35 pm
Multiple strong tornadoes tore through the region from the early to late evening hours on Wednesday.
The greatest threat through Saturday for most of Southeast Missouri is significant flash flooding.
Wednesday afternoon, April 2nd, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued an Executive Order activating the MO National Guard to assist in storm response.
This comes just over two weeks after a U.S.-wide system on March 14th and 15th brought widespread destruction across the region.
All Southeast Missouri State University campuses will operate with a delayed start on Thursday, April 3, to give Facilities Management time for assessment and cleanup following Wednesday night's severe weather. Offices will open at 11 am, and classes beginning at 11 am or later will proceed as scheduled. Classes beginning before 11 am are canceled.
—————————————————————————————————————
Wednesday, April 2: Afternoon
Severe Weather and record flooding are headed for the Southeast Missouri region and the Midwest again, for the third time in just over two weeks.
Severe weather is expected Wednesday afternoon, keeping heavy rain continuing into the first half of the weekend, leading to potentially catastrophic flash flooding.
Most locations in the region are expected to receive at least 7 to 10 inches, and nearly a foot of rain is likely to fall between Wednesday, April 2nd, and Sunday, April 6th. Some areas in Missouri's Bootheel could see higher amounts.
This system will make all severe weather threats possible, including large to very large hail, widespread damaging winds, and potentially strong tornadoes.
Wednesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an Executive Order activating the Missouri National Guard to assist with response efforts for ongoing and severe forecasted storm systems that have caused, or have the potential to cause, damage resulting from tornadoes, straight line winds, large hail, heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding, impacting communities throughout the State of Missouri.
"As we face the ongoing threat of severe weather, this executive order allows us to mobilize the necessary resources and personnel to support our communities, protect lives and property, and ensure a swift response to any emergencies that arise," Governor Kehoe said in a statement.
He added, "We ask that all Missourians be proactive, stay aware, and use extreme caution during these potentially dangerous weather events."
The storms in southwest Missouri will move east throughout the afternoon.
There is a high risk of significant tornadoes. The National Weather Service predicts that if it forms into a line, it will develop into a substantial and serious wind and tornado threat.
The current timing predicts the storm will move into Carter, Ripley, and Wayne Counties by about 1:30 pm Wednesday, April 2nd.
Current approximate arrival times by region predict the storm will arrive in Doniphan and Van Buren, around 2:30 to 4:00 pm; Poplar Bluff, Marble Hill, and Perryville, by 3:00 to 5:00 pm; Carbondale, Mt. Vernon IL, and Dexter MO, by 4:00 to 6:00 pm; and Cairo, Harrisburg and Fairfield, by 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
Justin Gibbs, Lead Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, updated the threats in a conference late Tuesday morning and again on Wednesday.
"If we get as much rain as we currently forecast, those rivers will go into flood and maybe moderate to significant flooding. We'll issue flood warnings based on the observed precipitation data as it comes in", said Gibbs. "But, [we're] expecting flooding on all of those rivers like The Black [River], the Green [River], the Current [River], the Big Muddy... All of that is probably going to flood before all is said and done."
Those who live in river regions should be especially careful, he noted, as places that normally do not flood are still at elevated risk during the next few days.
He also strongly expressed that this is the time to review severe weather plans and shelter preparations. Precautions such as clearing drainages and preparing sensitive property should be taken before the storm begins on Wednesday, April 2nd.
Authorities also advise having a plan to move to higher ground if necessary.
For emergencies, always call 911, and for shelter and help after storms, you can call 411 or visit First Call For Help, a service provided in partnership with the United Way of Southeast Missouri.
Updates, watches, and warnings will be issued through the local NOAA office in Paducah, KY.
