UPDATED: Businesses sustain storm damage; CU customers regain electricity

An area roughly bounded by Pythian Street, East Trafficway, Sherman Avenue and the 1800 block of East Chestnut Expressway took a major hit, leaving at least seven businesses with damage, the city reported this morning.

Taking the brunt was Harry Cooper Supply’s main warehouse at Chestnut and Sherman. Company representatives could not be reached for comment, but large pieces of metal from the building could be seen draping a nearby fence this morning.

Other businesses assessing damage today, according to a city news release, include the Springfield Public Schools’ Bus Barn on Chestnut; AT&T on North Fremont Avenue, which lost its roof; Braum’s Ice Cream on North Glenstone Avenue; Captain D’s on North Glenstone, Krispy Kreme on North Glenstone, which had its sign blown to the ground; and Cielito Lindo on North Glenstone.

City Utilities of Springfield, meanwhile, reports that it has restored power to all customers who are able to receive power. Approximately 10,000 electric customers were without power at the peak of the storms. CU serves about 106,000 electric customers.

Some customers may need a licensed electrician to make repairs before CU can restore power. Anyone who remains without power is asked to call CU at (417) 863-9000.

Gov. Matt Blunt has activated the State Emergency Management Agency to coordinate the state’s storm response. SEMA is activated at response level one, which means personnel are on site at SEMA headquarters in Jefferson City, and other SEMA staff is on standby.