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Deadly storm levels farms in Golden City, Missouri

Golden City tornado damage 2.jpg
Golden City tornado damage.jpg
Golden City tornado damage 3.jpg
Posted at 12:56 PM, May 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-23 20:23:55-04

GOLDEN CITY, Mo. — Three people died and more were injured Wednesday night when a deadly storm destroyed several homes near Golden City, Missouri.

As residents in Jefferson City cleaned up tornado damage Thursday morning, residents in southwest Missouri faced the same daunting task.

Golden City is located roughly 40 miles northeast of Joplin, where a tornado killed 161 people on May 22, 2011.

41 Action News reporter Sarah Blake went to the Harris farmstead, where Opal and Kenneth "Gene" Harris died in the storm.

The Harrises were fourth generation cattle ranchers and Gene never missed a day of chores despite being 86 years old. He loved golf and he and Opal were devoted to family.

The damage to the rest of the farmstead was extensive.

Rodney Harris' house next door also was severely damaged by the storm.

The family was trying to salvage as much as possible without risking their safety.

Betty and Mark Berg had lived in the same mobile home for 13 years and were "good people," according to their landlord.

Their residence was destroyed by Wednesday night's storm, which killed Betty and left Mark hospitalized in serious condition.