JEFFERSON CITY โ A preliminary review of tornado damage in Missouriโs capital city shows 78 buildings were destroyed in Wednesdayโs overnight storm.
According to information collected by a team of emergency personnel workers Thursday, the buildings include parts of a large apartment complex on the cityโs south side, as well as structures near downtown that were more than a century old.
Stacey Young, who operates an appraisal business out of a historic brick building on Capitol Avenue, was hurrying Friday to move records and other articles out of the two-story structure before the hot, sunny weather turned stormy again.
She said the level of destruction east of the unscathed Capitol building was heartbreaking to the property owners who are trying to transform the area.
โWeโve all been working very, very diligently trying to get these buildings back in shape,โ Young said. โWe are all extremely grateful there were no lives lost, but we are wondering whatโs going to happen to a lot of these structures.โ
Young said she had just spent $60,000 to upgrade an apartment on the second story of the building that now features a collapsed exterior wall.
โI hope to get a structural engineer in there to find out whether the building can be saved,โ Young said.
Residents and workers worked Friday to dig out from the tornado that injured an estimated 25 people as it cut a swath across the mid-Missouri town of 40,000 residents. No fatalities were reported in Jefferson City, but three died near Golden City in Barton County.
The storm that hit Jefferson City was rated as an EF-3 with estimated peak winds of 160 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.
Along with the structures that were listed as destroyed, an additional 15 were listed as โfailedโ because of concerns that they could suddenly collapse.
The map shows hundreds of other homes, businesses and government buildings with moderate damage across the mid-section of the community.
Gov. Mike Parson said the assessment was done by a team of volunteer engineers, architects, building inspectors, and other trained professionals as part of the Missouri Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation program.
On Saturday, the team is expected to evaluate about 200 additional structures in Cole County that are reported to have been damaged.
The American Red Cross was operating two shelters Friday โ one at a Jefferson City middle school and another in Eldon, south of Jefferson City.
On Thursday night, the shelter population totaled 33 people.
In a press release, the Red Cross urged people to donate cash rather than household items such as clothes, food or furniture.
โThe shelters in Jefferson City and Eldon have received numerous donations such as clothing and toiletries and are requesting the public to hold off on any additional items at this time. The Red Cross is working with community partners to determine a specific location that is able to take additional items for individuals affected by the tornado and the information will be provided as it becomes available,โ the organization said.
As of Friday morning, Ameren Missouri and Three Rivers Electric Cooperative reported nearly 4,000 outages, down from 14,000 on Thursday.
Although frontline workers like prison guards and law enforcement workers were still on duty, the majority of the more than 14,000 state government workers who descend on the office buildings in the city were off on Friday. In addition to ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts, employee parking lots near some state office buildings were underwater as the Missouri River topped its flood stage.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jordan Devine carries her four-day old son Sheldon Devine after retrieving belongings from her destroyed Hawthorne Park apartment in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Devine rode out the storm with her newborn. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Autumn Christopher, 4, plays with a favorite ball as she waits for her bike in the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City, after a tornado ripped through the community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Autumn's mother Elaine Christopher was awakened by her crying daughter as the storm approached. "We went in the bathtub and hid under blankets," she said. "It seemed like it lasted forever." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Residents dodge utility poles along the commercial district on Ellis Boulevard in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Autumn Christopher, 4, toasts water with her mother Elaine Christopher after retrieving Autumn's toys in the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City, after a tornado ripped through the community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Autumn's mother Elaine Christopher was awakened by her crying daughter as the storm approached. "We went in the bathtub and hid under blankets," she said. "It seemed like it lasted forever." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Lexii Garcia carries her nieces Savanna (left) and Kenndy Parris past a damaged YMCA after checking on her daughter in the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. "It's just gone," said Garcia. "It's so hard to see a place you've spent so much of your time, that it's just gone." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jordan Devine checks on her four-day old son Sheldon Devine held by Lisa Ramirez after retrieving belongings in her destroyed Hawthorne Park apartment in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Her roommate Gina Elms is at right. Devine rode out the storm with her newborn. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jacob Glover leaps from his second floor apartment entrance after retrieving belongings from the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City, after a tornado ripped through the community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The storm ripped away Glover's staircase and landing, leaving climbing as the only way to his apartment. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Residents of the Hawthorne Park apartments leave with their belongings after a tornado ripped through their Jefferson City complex on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Residents gather their animals along Ellis Boulevard in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Law enforcement officers gather animals inside the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their complex on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Residents of the Hawthorne Park apartments leave with their belongings after a tornado ripped through their Jefferson City complex on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Glen Gessley (left) and Sean Palmer look over damage to a chapel at Community Christian Church that was damaged along Ellis Boulevard in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The stained glass windows were a memorial to Jeff Hicks, a community member who died in Vietnam. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Work crews look to stabilize the wall of the YMCA Jefferson City on Ellis Boulevard after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Shattered windows and roofless apartment buildings dotted the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their complex on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

"We're gonna make it man. We're gonna make it," said James Stewart, pausing after sweeping up glass at Capitol Kids, a cheer and ninja warrior complex on Ford Street in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through the community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado Damage in Jefferson City

Tornado damage in Jefferson City, Mo. as seen on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jordan Devine takes her four-day old son Sheldon Devine from Lisa Ramirez after retrieving belongings in her destroyed Hawthorne Park apartment in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Devine rode out the storm with her newborn. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Koko Crawford and her son Elijah carry extra clothes after leaving the Hawthorne Park apartments along Ellis Boulevard in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Lexii Garcia carries her nieces Savanna (left) and Kenndy Parris past a damaged YMCA after checking on her daughter in the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. "It's just gone," said Garcia. "It's so hard to see a place you've spent so much of your time, that it's just gone." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jordan Devine retrieves belongings and a cold beer from her destroyed Hawthorne Park apartment in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Devine rode out the storm with her newborn son Sheldon. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Autumn Christopher, 4, waits for more of her toys in the bed of her grandfather Pete Christopher's truck in the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through the community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Autumn's mother Elaine Christopher was awakened by her crying daughter as the storm approached. "We went in the bathtub and hid under blankets," she said. "It seemed like it lasted forever." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Undisturbed children's clothing hangs in a closet ripped open by a tornado that damaged the Hawthorne Park apartments in Jefferson City on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Steve Mitchell checks on people in the Hawthorne Park apartments along Ellis Boulevard in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Crews work to stablize a 1907 stone home off Miller Street near downtown Jefferson City after a tornado heavily damaged it on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Jordan Devine checks on her four-day old son Sheldon Devine held by Lisa Ramirez after retrieving belongings in her destroyed Hawthorne Park apartment in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped through their community on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Her roommate Gina Elms is at right. Devine rode out the storm with her newborn. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Roofers begin to construct a new roof for the home of Lincoln University President Jerald Woolfolk, who rode out the tornado in the basement of the president's residence in Jefferson City on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Tornado rips through Jefferson City

Dwight Coleman tries to recover a lamp in a bedroom of his home on Ashley Street in Jefferson City after a tornado ripped the roof and the walls on Thursday, May 23, 2019. "I heard a crash," said Coleman. "And I looked up and saw sky, nothing but sky." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.