Funnel spotted in storm Monday

This funnel was spotted near Rector during Monday's storm. [Click to enlarge]

Rector and the surrounding areas were drenched by torrential rains Monday, as a storm with the potential to produce tornados came through the area. In fact, spotters from the Rector Fire Department witnessed a funnel cloud form near the city limits.

Volunteer firemen Brian Linam and Nathan Mills took positions north the municipal airport south of Rector. While the two men watched, one of nature's most furious and dangerous creations took form.

"It just started out a regular, low cloud," Linam said. "It was on the west side of Highway 49 just west of the airport. We saw it become a distinct funnel cloud. I watched it for three or four minutes. It crossed Highway 49 between Rector and Marmaduke. Then it became rain-wrapped and we lost it."

Linam said the cloud didn't appear to touch down while he was watching it. He says he has heard reports that other spotters not associated with those in Rector may have seen the same cloud near the Leonard and Blue Cane area before it crossed the St. Francis River.

This is not the first time the two men have gone out to observe during a bad storm.

"When the warning comes out, there's usually a few of us who go out to spot," Linam said.

By serving as spotters, the volunteers are able to provide instant updates to other emergency personnel via cell phones and radios. Information is vital during an emergency situation, as is making the public aware of what is happening.

Rector's tornado sirens were sounded during Monday's storm, as is the usual procedure when the city receives a credible report from the National Weather Service or is contacted by trained personnel such as firemen, police or EMTs.

The storm had massive rainfall in the city, according to police chief Glenn Leach.

"It's my understanding that we got between two to three inches of rain in less than an hour," Leach said. "We had about three to five inches of rain total."

Leach said there were no reports of damage inside the city.

"With that much rain and the potential for worse, we were fortunate to not have any damage done to personal or city property," Leach said.

Clay County sheriff Gerald McClung said his office was also unaware of any significant damage caused by the storm.

McClung said his deputies were patrolling across the county, keeping an eye on conditions.

"All we can do in these situations is monitor the weather," McClung said. "We were spread out all over the county keeping an eye out."

McClung said the report by Linam and Mills was the only report his office received from trained spotters in the county.

"With that kind of storm, it could have been worse," McClung said. "I'm just glad we didn't get blown away."