PERRY COUNTY, Mo. – Perry County is showing resilience as it bounces back from last week’s ice storm, the most severe the area has seen since the 1970s. Schools are set to reopen Tuesday, marking a significant step in the community’s recovery.

The storm blanketed roads and trees in thick ice, snapping branches, toppling power lines, and leaving more than 10,000 households without electricity during freezing temperatures.

“Not only did we have downed trees, but we had a lot of power lines down over the streets,” Perryville Mayor Larry Riney said. “It’s very difficult to try to plan for an event of this nature.”

He praised the work of everyone involved.


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Emergency crews, including the National Guard, worked tirelessly to clear roads, repair power lines, and ensure residents could safely reach shelters. Community members also stepped in to help each other during the crisis.

“The sheriff’s office, law enforcement, and first responders were amazing,” Perry County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Grayson said. “They put in a lot of long hours and really adapted to situations they don’t normally deal with.”

As of Monday, power has been restored to most of the county, but about 124 locations remain without electricity. Crews are continuing to address outages and clear debris.

Grayson noted the ongoing collaboration with state emergency management to assist residents who have been heavily affected.

With ice now melting and schools reopening, residents are eager to return to their routines. Officials are optimistic that full power will be restored by the end of the week.

To aid in further recovery efforts, a Multi-Agency Resource Center, or MARC, will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Perryville Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.