Officials, emergency crews respond to damage after tornado touches down in Belton

By Tony Madden

Dozens of buildings were damaged after a tornado touched down in Belton on Friday evening, according to Mayor Norman Larkey. No serious injuries were reported, but nearly 2,000 were still without power as of Friday night, according to Evergy. 

At a media briefing Friday night, City Manager Joe Warren thanked fire, police and ambulance crews for their swift response. He confirmed no injuries were reported but said damage and debris was excessive. 

Warren said most of the damage was to roofs, siding, and trees. Vehicles were also damaged, including a trailer that was thrown into a house.

Warren went on to say the tornado started in the southwest part of the city. It then moved through the Belton Towne Center area and damaged homes along South Mullen Road before crossing Interstate 49. 

“It kind of hopped up and down,” said Belton Fire Chief John Sapp.

Warren also asked area residents to be mindful of emergency response teams moving through the city.

Belton Police Chief Scott Lyons also said the Belton Police Department received assistance from off-duty officers, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department in order to assess damage, shut down intersections and direct traffic while stoplights are out.

He went on to say the American Red Cross is moving into Belton and said the city is working with those in need of temporary shelter. 

Sapp also said the Belton Fire Department is continuing house-to-house checks to make sure all citizens are accounted for and document damage. He added it will take time — days or weeks — to get damaged parts of the city cleaned up.