Full Breakdown
Springfield Hailstorm Kills Emu, Shatters Vehicles, and Disrupts Airport
4/30/2026, 5:50:48 AM
Event Overview
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, a supercell thunderstorm produced hailstones up to 4.75 inches (12 cm) across Springfield, Missouri, and Greene County. The hail struck the north side of the city around 11 a.m., damaging roofs, shattering windshields, and causing widespread power outages. At Dickerson Park Zoo, a 21-year-old female emu named Adam died from head trauma, and a 17-year-old male rhea, Oscar, sustained injuries requiring veterinary care. The zoo closed for repairs, and Springfield-Branson National Airport delayed or canceled dozens of flights while hundreds of parked vehicles required tarp protection.
Meteorological Background
National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Burchfield identified the event as a “supercell thunderstorm” with strong wind shear that allowed hailstones to remain aloft longer, producing unusually large hail. Former NOAA meteorologist Alan Gerard explained that left-moving splits of supercells carry a higher risk of very large hail, a pattern observed in this storm. Reported hail sizes ranged from 4 inches to 4.75 inches, approaching but not surpassing Missouri’s state record of 6 inches set in 2004 near Maryville.
Damage Data & Statistics
- Hailstones: 2 – 4.75 inches, softball-size at peak.
- Power outages: >10,100 customers lost electricity initially; restored to ~4,200 within two hours.
- Vehicles: Hundreds of windshields and sunroofs shattered; airport staff deployed 300-400 tarps on damaged cars.
- Airport: Dozens of flights delayed or canceled; some passengers bused 100 miles to Bentonville, Arkansas.
- Zoo: One emu killed, one rhea injured; roofs of multiple buildings damaged; parking-lot vehicles heavily dented.
Impact on Community and Infrastructure
The storm’s damage extended beyond the zoo. Residents reported dented cars resembling golf balls, broken skylights, and compromised gas meters, prompting utility warnings about potential leaks. Emergency services received 911 calls for hail-related injuries, though exact injury counts remain unspecified. The event disrupted regional travel, forced airport passengers to seek alternative transportation, and strained local emergency response resources.
Official Statements & Responses
Dickerson Park Zoo spokesperson Joey Powell confirmed the emu’s death, the rhea’s treatment, and the zoo’s closure through Wednesday, with plans to reopen by Friday for a Route 66 event. Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management’s Nicolette Zangara noted radar indications of growing hail and warned of “a mixed bag” of hail sizes. Airport public information officer Ren Luebbering described the tarp effort and advised motorists to “expect damage to your vehicle.” City Utilities of Springfield reported damage to gas meters and urged anyone smelling gas to evacuate and call 911.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Driver Eric Gockel described his car’s windshield battered by hail, stating, “I feel blessed that I came out unscathed.” Local resident Lesa Voss told KY3, “I’d never seen anything like that in my life,” calling it the worst hail she had witnessed. Both accounts underscore the storm’s intensity and its personal impact on Springfield residents.
Climate Context
Scientific American highlighted a broader trend of increasing hail damage in the United States, noting emerging research linking warmer temperatures to more energetic hailstorms in Europe. While the Springfield event aligns with this pattern, scientists caution that additional study is needed to confirm a direct climate-change connection.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the maximum hail size—some cite 4 inches, others 4.75 inches, and a range of 2-4.75 inches. Power-outage figures also vary, with initial reports of >10,100 customers versus later counts of ~4,200. The exact number of flight cancellations remains unspecified, described only as “dozens.” These discrepancies illustrate the evolving nature of post-event data collection.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I feel blessed that I came out unscathed,” — Eric Gockel, driver
- “I’d never seen anything like that in my life,” — Lesa Voss, Springfield resident
- “We think we put 300 or 400 tarps out there on cars,” — Ren Luebbering, airport public information officer
- “You could just tell from what we were seeing on radar that the hail was growing in size,” — Nicolette Zangara, public information officer
- “This was a supercell thunderstorm that was able to really have a lot of wind shear with it and a lot of energy that allowed the hailstone to stay up aloft for a lot longer.” — Mark Burchfield, NWS meteorologist
- “So many things go through your mind. You want to make sure everybody’s safe. First of all,” — Joey Powell, Dickerson Park Zoo PR director
What’s Next
Dickerson Park Zoo aims to reopen by Friday for a scheduled event, pending cleanup and animal-care assessments. Springfield-Branson National Airport continues to process delayed flights and monitor vehicle damage. Utility crews are inspecting gas meters for leaks, and emergency managers remain on alert for additional severe weather as the spring pattern persists across the Midwest.
