We started receiving reports early this morning that Kimberling City, Mo., was rocked by a tornado sometime around 2 am. The Everstart Series and all its anglers were there preparing for the tournament that would have started tomorrow. The Everstart trailer was destroyed. Hundreds of boats and trucks were damaged or destroyed. Many of the inns, hotels, houses and boat docks were destroyed. Those that could get out have already started home. Many anglers we talked to could not get out of their parking lots or down to the ramps to get boats yet this morning.
Everyone we’ve talked to has said no one was hurt, so we’re all thankful for that and praying that will continue to be the case as it progresses through this morning. We saw a few pictures from Cody Malone, a Texas angler who had more than $30,000 damage to his truck and boat. Mike Webb a local angler and Laura Powell, staff with FLW posted many photos on Facebook as well. The pictures give you pause at the power of the forces of nature. Our hearts go out to the folks who own businesses around fishing in Kimberling City and any of the residents affected by the storm. I have been fishing Table Rock and vacationing at Harper’s Valley Resort for 20 years. I’ve stayed at the Kimberling Inn many times for tournaments. We love that town, those people and that lake.
We’ll post updates as we get them, and any places to help. But here are a few photos of the amazing force from several anglers and staff that went through it last night. Plywood thrown through Fiberglass is always amazing to us. We don’t mean to trivialize or sensationalize the damage. These are folks that survived an amazing feat of nature and had their livelihood damaged, and it will take some time to recover. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were there last night.
Photo by Mike Webb
Photo by Mike Webb
Photo by Cody Malone
Photo by Cody Malone
