EF-1 Tornado Strikes Grafton With High Windspeed Of 98 MPH

GRAFTON — A brief tornado with peak winds of 98 mph struck Grafton early Wednesday, March 11, 2026, damaging two businesses and nearby homes but causing no injuries or deaths, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

National Weather Service surveyors determined the tornado was an EF-1. The tornado’s path length was 0.13 miles with a maximum width of 100 yards, the agency said. An EF-1 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) tornado has winds varying from 86 mph to 110 mph.

Wind damage heavily impacted Drifters Bar and Grill and a nearby guest house early Wednesday morning, officials said. Mayor Mike Morrow said Drifters Bar and Grill at 1505 W. Main St. was “pretty much destroyed” by the winds, with the roof taken off and water damage throughout the interior.

Morrow said debris also damaged nearby properties, including Dee’s Riverside Retreat at 1446 W. Main St. He said a power line came down and that a garage was lifted off its foundation. He also described damage, including broken windows.

Cleanup efforts began Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and continued on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Morrow said.

“The cleanup is going well," Morrow said. "Jake and DPW (Department of Public Works) crew have been throughout town with cleanup and they continue today (Thursday)." He added that there were “a few trees, and a lot of limbs down.”

“With those high winds, we are grateful the damage wasn’t worse,” he said.

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