<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> 05/11/08 8:15 p.m. Authorities release names of tornado victims in Newton County

May 11, 2008 10:03 pm

— Mark Bridges, coroner of Newton County, said the victims in that county from Saturday's tornado are Rockie Peterson, Neosho; Linda Hasty, Seneca; Richard, Kathy and Clayton Rountree, all of Joplin; Ruby Bilke, of Joplin; Paul Gallemore, who lived north of Racine; Daniel, Barbara, Jeff and Terrance “Joe” Monroe, who lived near the state line in rural Newton County; Christine Petree, Morrisville; and Teri Cook, who lived north of Racine.
Bridges said the Rountree family and Bilke were traveling near Highway 43 and Iris Road when their car was blown off the road. Petree was traveling on Highway 43 to a casino when her car was blown off the road. The Monroe family reportedly was in a mobile home that was struck by the tornado.
Susie Stonner, head of the Missouri’s Emergency Management Agency, said several people also were being treated Sunday night for critical injuries in local hospitals. One of them is Tyler Casey, a Seneca fireman who left his vehicle to warn a family of the approaching tornado, said Bridges. When he got to his vehicle, the tornado struck.