MSHP reports numerous signs of damage throughout the Rolla area
A severe storm ripped through Rolla on Friday, leaving massive damage and destruction. Homes along with business were leveled, power lines were knocked over, and trees were uprooted.
According to a X post from MSHP Troop I, multiple buildings were destroyed and many were left without power.
Missouri State Highway Patrol via Facebook
Mark Twain Elementary School in Rolla saw serious damage to their roof in the storm, with many other structure damages being discovered at this time.
In a press release that was published by City of Columbia Fire Department, CFD responded to a statewide mutual-aid request to support the Rolla Fire Department through the state’s mobilization plan.
CFD Firefighters worked with others from around the Rolla area to perform large area searches by foot in neighborhoods that received tornado damage. The command team from Rolla released CFD resources at 1 a.m. and the firefighters returned safely to Columbia at 3 a.m. on Saturday.
But there was one thing this storm couldn’t destroy — the warmth of Rolla’s community.
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The day after the storm struck the town, the community knew it was time to come together. Neighbors were seen on each others roof pulling trees out from the side of homes, bringing cases of water along with food, and even helping salvage items and family heirlooms inside destroyed homes.
“I think Rolla loves their neighbor well,” said Shandy Harris, a Rolla Resident. “That’s apart of our faith as well, but I think that’s a backbone of a community. People are just showing up, they’re rallying together, and they’re helping people that they don’t even know, calling a stranger a friend.”
Rolla residents like Dan Hall, put others before themselves when it came to ensuring the safety of their neighbors.
“I was going next door to make sure my 92-year-old neighbor was going to be safe, found out he wasn’t home, which was great,” Hall said. “It was not less than 20 seconds after I walked back into my place, and just everything starts shuttering. “
Hall’s home was left in pieces the next day. However, some of the most important pieces were able to be recovered with the help of friends and neighbors within the community and other surrounding communities.
One of Hall’s longtime friends and neighbor, came over the next day to help clean up the remnants of the home. While cleaning, she was able to find Hall’s most cherished item, which was his mother’s ashes in a glass ball.
Despite the devastation left behind from the storm, Hall and many others in the community, said they’re holding on to gratitude.
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