George Garton and his neighbor Doug Shoupe look over the damage done to Garton's house on highway BB just west of US Highway 71 in Southern Vernon County after a severe storm hit the home on Monday morning. Several parties reported seeing a tornado hit the house, however, officials have not verified these reports. [Click to enlarge]

Radar images depicting tornado watches and severe weather warnings are not uncommon in the month of March, especially in Southwest Missouri. However, this year's storms came quite late in the month -- the last day possible, in fact.

Severe storms which struck the area Monday morning and early afternoon, however, did not follow the March proverb, "in like a lion, out like a lamb."

Numerous county and city roads became impassable as water levels rose to 24 feet in some areas. Sheriff's deputies spent the majority of the day directing traffic and barricading roads as they became submerged. US Highway 71 near Camp Clark, several sections of BB Highway, 54 Highway near the Nevada Airport and Highway 54 West of Nevada were just a few of the roads severely effected by flooding. A traffic jam developed on 71 Highway at about 1 p.m. Monday, as water rose and covered both southbound lanes just South of Nevada forcing Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman to shut down one lane and direct traffic through the water hazard.

"It's like this everywhere," said Peckman. "It (water level) just came up so fast."

Flood warnings remain in effect for Vernon County and surrounding communities until 1 p.m., Tuesday. The National Weather Service has already issued flood advisories for a second round of storms expected to hit the effected areas Wednesday.

Several Nevada residents reported flooded homes with damages ranging from minimal seepage to several feet of water inside their houses.

For some area residents water damage was the least of their concerns. George Garton was inside his home on BB Highway South of Nevada when he heard that a tornado warning had been issued for Southern Vernon County. Garton was the only person within Vernon County to report having his home hit by a tornado as of Monday evening. He said that immediately after hearing of the weather warning he went to his basement and is thankful he did. "I'm glad I was in the basement, I could feel the pressure building and it wasn't three or four minutes after that when it hit," said Garton.

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The damage done to Garton's house was very apparent. It had windows blown out, roof shingles ripped off, a television antenna bent over the roof and gaping holes not only in the siding but through the wood sheathing and into the home's interior.

Crystal Garton, George's wife, said she was on her way home from work and had just turned on to BB Highway when she saw the storm. "As we turned we could see the rain twisting, but it (the tornado) was going back up by then, it was over," she said.

Pieces of tin and wood laid scattered across the Garton's property from a large barn and tool shed also lost to the storm. "I'm just glad it didn't pull the whole thing (house) off the foundation or take off the roof. Those pieces of metal from the barn probably weigh 13 or 14 hundred pounds," said George.

The couple, who have lived in the otherwise quiet home for close to 13 years began their repairs immediately, boarding up windows and tarping their roof with support from neighbors and friends. No injuries were reported from the damaging storm.

Sheriff Ron Peckman viewed the destruction at the Garton's home and said he would be sending photos to Springfield in order to verify whether it was an actual tornado that hit the house.

Garton said their is no doubt in his mind it definitely was a twister. "It was a tornado. I was in a tornado before, back in college and I know what it's like," he said.

More storms are expected to hit the area on Wednesday afternoon according to National Weather Service of Springfield. These storms are once again expected to bring heavy precipitation and the possibility of more flooding.