ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The National Weather Service office in St. Louis had crews in the field Sunday surveying damage from Saturday evening's thunderstorms that blew across the region. So far the NWS has confirmed 7 tornadoes from the storm system.
Hillsboro in Jefferson County recorded an EF-Zero tornado with estimated peak wind speed of 77 mph.
Swansea, Illinois in St. Clair County also had an EF-Zero touch down with an estimated peak wind of 85 mph.
Belleville, Illinois, which sustained the majority of damage, had an EF-1 tornado with 80 mph winds.
Initially, the National Weather Service confirmed four other tornadoes. A weak EF-1, just before 6:30 Saturday evening, moved from Interstate 44 and 141 to Tapawingo National Golf course. The length of the twister was four and a half miles.
An EF-1 in hit Pevely, MO. An EF-Zero was confirmed south of Valmeyer, Illinois and Hecker, Illinois in Monroe County, recorded an EF-1 that cut a 19-point-5 mile path.
The National Weather Service will continue their survey. There were no reports of any injuries.
The NWS says there were hail reports on both sides of the Mississippi River, ranging from pea-sized up to three-inch diameter.
A tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 55 near McNutt in Jefferson County and power poles were snapped near Herculaneum.
A portion of a roof was blown-off in downtown Sullivan.
Main Street in Hillsboro Missouri had significant debris.
And in St. Louis County, the Ballwin Pointe Rec Center had some large glass windows blown out near the pool (see photo).
In Illinois, the Weather Service says it's likely a tornado touched down in the Monroe County town of Hecker.
Considering the length and strength of Saturday evening's thunderstorms, the St. Louis area is fortunate that no significant injuries occurred and no lives were taken, says NWS meteorologist Jayson Gosselin, "We never want to see anybody's property damaged either, but as far as we know no reports of injuries or fatalities, which is welcome news."
Gosselin says survey teams will be checking-out storm damage in Valley Park, Missouri and Hecker, Illinois for sure on Sunday.
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