Full Breakdown
Springfield, Missouri Hailstorm Kills Emu, Damages Airport and Vehicles
4/30/2026, 9:05:38 AM
Storm Overview
On April 28 2026 a supercell thunderstorm produced hail up to 4.75 inches (12 cm) across Springfield and Greene County. The hail struck Dickerson Park Zoo, killing a 21-year-old female emu named Adam and injuring a 17-year-old rhea, Oscar. It shattered windshields, dented roofs, damaged airport facilities, and knocked out power for more than 10,000 customers before service fell to about 4,200. Dozens of flights at Springfield-Branson National Airport were delayed or canceled, and airport staff deployed roughly 300–400 tarps on damaged vehicles. Strong wind gusts also ripped roof and skylight panels at the zoo and nearby structures.
Official Statements
Zoo spokesperson Joey Powell confirmed Adam’s death from head trauma and said Oscar was receiving pain medication. He noted staff moved animals to shelters after receiving storm warnings. Airport public information officer Ren Luebbering warned passengers of vehicle damage and organized tarp distribution. Emergency-management officer Nicolette Zangara cited early radar indicating enlarging hail and coordinated 911 response. National Weather Service meteorologists Mark Burchfield and Eric Wise emphasized the rarity of hail of this size for Springfield. The Springfield NWS office noted that hail of this magnitude has been recorded only a handful of times in Missouri’s meteorological record.
Criticism
Zoo officials acknowledged that emus naturally lie down during severe weather, a behavior that contributed to Adam’s fatal injury despite sheltering attempts. Critics have pointed out the difficulty of protecting large, ground-dwelling birds from sudden, softball-size hail. Animal-care experts suggest that additional reinforced shelters may be needed for large birds in regions prone to severe hail.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Driver Eric Gockel described his windshield as “battered” and said he felt “blessed that I came out unscathed.” He reported damage to his pizza-business food truck, work trucks and his daughter’s new car. Residents said dented vehicles resembled “the surface of a golf ball.” One resident reported that the hail left a fine layer of ice on sidewalks, creating slip hazards.
Conflicting Reports
Sources list hail size as either 4 inches or 4.75 inches, and power outage figures as 10,100 versus about 4,200 after two hours. No official injury count has been released, and long-term effects on zoo animals remain unquantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I feel blessed that I came out unscathed,” — Eric Gockel, driver
- “You’ve just never seen anything like this,” — Joey Powell, zoo spokesperson
- “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, emergency-management officer
- “I mean, the balls were probably larger than (the emu’s) head, or as big as her head,” — Joey Powell, zoo spokesperson
What’s Next
Dickerson Park Zoo aims to reopen by Friday for a Route 66 event after debris removal. Airport officials will continue damage assessments and work with insurers. Local emergency managers plan to review warning protocols before the next spring storm season.
