LAKE LOTAWANA, Mo. — People who live on Lake Lotawana said a storm Tuesday afternoon lasted 10 to 15 minutes, but in that short amount of time, it did a lot of damage.
The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Lake Lotawana — damaging homes, boats, and docks.
According to Lake Lotawana's Facebook page, Water Patrol closed the lake to boating on Tuesday at 4:25 p.m., stating there were too many boats and docks floating unattended on the water.
The Lake Lotawana Association said operations crews were working overtime to get the lake roadways cleared of debris and downed power lines as soon as possible. Roads in G Block, I Block, and J Block needed clearing.
Wednesday, the main arm of the lake will be open to boating, from the dam south to Goat Hill. Lake Lotawana Association said the north arm of the lake from the dam west to Big Rock Bay will be closed for skiing.
As of Wednesday morning, some homes on the lake were still without power. Crews put up three power poles overnight and are hoping to get power restored by Wednesday night.
Fire Chief Bill Large told 41 Action News that besides the damage at the docks, his crews have seen roofs ripped off houses, down power lines and trees into homes.
Right now it’s all hands on deck in an effort to clean up storm damage at Lake Lotawana. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/m0CxupVq3s
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) June 26, 2018
A massive oak tree fell on top of Lana Showman‘s house on F street.
She’s lived at the home for more than 30 years with her husband and their dog.
As the storm rolled in they sought refuge in a room in the rear of the house.
During the height of the storm, the damage came within inches of them.
“It was very scary all the limbs started coming through the roof and knocking the roof down and all I could do is duck so I kind of got up against the washer and dryer and my husband was standing there trying to tell him, 'Sit down, sit down.' He’s like 'No, no.' But then it was gone and we started looking around and it was like, 'Wow.' Rain was just pouring thru because it was three to four different places where limbs came through the house,” Showman said.
The tree destroyed their kitchen, a utility closet and a part of their living room.
"I've seen some pretty good storms out here but nothing ever like this," said Anthony Bonio.
His family's pontoon now has a hole and the jet ski dock is destroyed, while the boat dock is submerged.
His neighbor's dock is completely collapsed. Another neighbor's boat was thrown out of the water onto a lawn.
"I've seen kids, grandkids, great-grandkids out trying to help their families. Trying to get everything back together," he said.
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