The weather just after 12 noon yesterday was scary for many in the Washington County and surrounding areas with tornado warnings of impending destruction and death.  Washington County Emergency and Safety Director Rick Greten tells WNSV that the weather service authorities and others that assess the damage, report that it was an F4 tornado that traveled 6 miles.  New Minden was hit with several homes and a church severely damaged.  Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger confirmed that 80-year old Joseph R. Hoy and his 78-year old sister Frances J. Hoy from the same residence just southwest of New Minden, died.  Roy’s body was found approximately 100 yards from his rural farm house.  His sister was found under rubble and was rushed to the hospital where she was ultimately pronounced dead.  Their farm was completely destroyed.  There were semi-tractor trailer trucks that were overturned or twisted on Interstate 64 between Nashville and Okawville, which caused the eastbound lane to be closed for some time.  There were many cars in accidents, as well as trees down.  In Centralia, the Flying M Ranch and surrounding area was hit hard.  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports that Route 177 between New Minden and Hoyleton is still closed.  Motorists should seek alternative routes.

An update from Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s General Manager Marcia Scott is that they have all of their crews and 8 additional contracted crews out making repairs in the Hoyleton area.  The tornado tore down over 50 poles, some which are transmission poles to the substation.  Some power was restored earlier this morning, but those still without power might be without it again tonight.  Scott says it is difficult to know when the crews will have all the poles up, wires attached and anything else needed at the substation fixed, but they hope to get power up to everyone sometime tonight.  She knows residents of Washington County are needing power, but the crews have been going with little to no sleep, as they work through the day.  As of this morning, 156 of 175 customers are out of power in Hoyleton, while 205 out of 233 are out in Okawville, 53 out of 984 in Centralia, 26 out of 109 in Richview and 61 out of 626 in Nashville, but mostly that is in the New Minden area.