A deepening low pressure system moved northeast from Arkansas along a warm front that extended across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. Surface dew points were in the upper 50's to lower 60's along and southeast of the warm front. A strong upper level trough over the western Plains produced a strong southwest flow of 60 to 80 knots at 500 mb. Winds at 850 mb were south to southwest around 40 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 21:15:00 to 05-FEB-08 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Five utility poles were knocked down on Highway 105 near East Prairie. Several trees were toppled, including one that landed on a housing complex in Charleston.

Tornado in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:03:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVIELL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Large trees, limbs, and power poles were snapped off. An old barn was blown over, and a newer barn lost part of its roof and a large door. There was some shingle damage to homes. A large tree was uprooted and fell against a residence. Tree limbs fell on a vehicle and through a bedroom window. Several grain bins were dented by wind-blown debris. One equipment shed was blown away. The average path width was 275 yards. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph.

Hail in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 19:40:00 to 05-FEB-08 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:00:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRDEALING
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail was reported just south of Highway 160 along County Road 409.

Hail in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:04:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLAR BLUFF
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:30:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEELYS LNDG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Pea to quarter sized hail fell at Highways 177 and J.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:55:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUSK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 19:31:00 to 05-FEB-08 19:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed into Ripley County from Randolph County, Arkansas. There was sporadic tree damage with tops snapped off or uprooted. Several outbuildings (mostly pole barns) were destroyed. Four to five older unattended mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. The last damage noted was an old barn knocked over just southeast of Oxly. The width ranged from 100 to 200 yards. The damage path was broken. Peak winds were estimated near 109 mph.

Tornado in STODDARD, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:24:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHOVER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado continued eastward from Butler County into western Stoddard County. As it moved through a wildlife refuge close to the county line, trees were damaged. Along County Road 670, a metal barn was destroyed and thrown several hundred yards into a field. A wagon was thrown approximately 150 yards. On County Road 651, a concrete silo was destroyed while an empty grain truck right next to the silo was not damaged. The tornado continued northeast and damaged mainly trees and 14 power poles before it lifted near Highway 25.

Tornado in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 05-FEB-08 20:18:00 to 05-FEB-08 20:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: FISK
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down near the intersection of Highways FF and CC. Parts of roofs were ripped off of several houses. As it moved east, it threw tin silos more than 900 yards. One of the silos hit a house and likely played a role in destroying the house. The roof and most of the exterior walls were blown off the three bedroom brick house. The family survived in a closet near the back room of the house unhurt. At the same location, an abandoned mobile home was destroyed, and the metal frame was bent. Debris from this area was spread east about 1.5 miles. Peak estimated wind speeds were near 130 mph. The damage path continued into Stoddard County.