Severe Weather Attributed to Boating Fatalities
The Stone County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri held a press conference at 9 a.m. local time Friday. Here are the latest details on this story:
- 17 people confirmed dead
- Captain of the duck boat survived, driver did not
- First 911 call came in at 7:09 p.m. CT Thursday
- Sheriff’s office does not know if captain/driver checked/knew the weather forecast before going out
- Sheriff’s office does not know if people were wearing the life jackets (provided on boat) at the time
- Sheriff’s office is asking if anyone has video of it, to share it on the Stone County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page here
https://www.facebook.com/Stone-County-Sheriffs-Office-593899137316212/
A line of severe storms were moved through Kansas and into Missouri yesterday evening. As they moved through southwestern Missouri, they produced strong, gusting winds that capsized a boat and sank it on Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO. There have been at least 13 fatalities and there are still severe people missing. Officials say the victims range in ages of 1 to 70-years-old
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Viewer captures trouble for 2 Ride the Ducks moments before sinking of one boat: https://t.co/kukkIEGybI
— KY3 News (@kytv) July 20, 2018
The National Weather Service office in Springfield, MO issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning just after 6:30pm Thursday evening. This warning was for winds over 60 mph. Just about half an hour later, the boat capsized.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Branson MO, Hollister MO, Cassville MO until 7:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/iaNtH5ovFz
— NWS Springfield (@NWSSpringfield) July 19, 2018
GOES-16 1-min imagery view of severe storm that moved through Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri. Rapid growth, overshooting tops, and above anvil cirrus plume indicated particularly dangerous storm. #mowx Full res imagery: https://t.co/4xJk03lsII pic.twitter.com/HDZ22v4z05
— Bill Line (@bill_line) July 20, 2018
The strongest wind gust reported in Branson, MO was 63 mph Thursday night.
For those unfamiliar with the area, Branson is in southwestern Missouri and is a popular tourist town. Table Rock Lake is a vacation spot enjoyed by many.
To read about where the severe threat will be on Friday, click here.
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Kate Mantych.