16-03-2025
Rolla community faces aftermath of severe storms and damage
ROLLA, Mo. — Residents and business owners are now cleaning up after severe weather hit the region.
After a sleepless night, many residents were shaken up from the storms. Shaun Wibbenmeyer was in a storm shelter when he found out his gym Full Rage Fit was destroyed.
'I was happy that nobody got hurt. I was happy that when it happened, we didn't have 20 people in there. Just felt sad that we lost it. We built it and had it ready to go, and then, just like that, we lost it,' Wibbenmeyer said.
Another business owner, Charlee Sue Jadwin, is no stranger to storm damage. The Salem location of her store Custard by C-Sue was damaged one year ago on the same date.
'It was not near this significant of damage, but it still was a process to clean up. I brought my trailer here to Rolla as our second location in October, and we were gearing up to open April 1 for the season,' said Jadwin.
12 fatalities reported from storms in Missouri, including three in Bakersfield
St. Patrick's Day Weekend is a big tradition in Rolla, bringing a lot more traffic than usual, but the congestion and downed power lines make it more difficult for clean-up efforts.
'This is the biggest weekend in Rolla with St Patrick's, so we have a lot of extra people in the community, and cell services is bad right now,' said Cpl. Ralicia Tyler, MSHP Troop I Public Information Officer. 'A lot of dropped calls and the traffic itself is crazy.'
Fortunately, no deaths or injuries are being reported in the city, but the process of starting over leaves a wound that isn't easy to heal.
'Everyone says it's just trailers, they're just buildings, and that is so true, and we will all rebuild,' Jadwin said. 'However, as business owners, this is our livelihood. This is where we spend most of our time, and so it's like losing a second home.'
To help with the cleaning process. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging everyone to avoid all areas with large debris out of safety. If anybody needs a place to stay, there is a shelter at First Baptist Church on Cedar Street.
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