Emu reported dead at Dickerson Park Zoo after giant hail pummeled Springfield, Missouri
A female emu was reported dead at a zoo in Springfield, Missouri, after large hail of 7.6 and 10.2 cm (3 and 4 inches) struck parts of the state on April 28, 2026. Another emu was injured and put into veterinary care.
Image credit: JJ Harrison/Wikimedia Commons
The 21-year-old female emu died on April 28 after large hail struck the Dickerson Park Zoo, causing significant damage in the area.
Meanwhile, a male emu named Rhea was put under veterinary care after getting injured amid the storms. The zoo was closed to the public on April 29 due to the storm damage.
“No guests or staff were injured. All other animals are safe,” said the Dickerson Park Zoo on Facebook.
“I live across from the zoo, and the storm came in suddenly. I lost a chicken. It’s just part of life,” commented Candie Keeth, under the zoo’s post describing the storm.
The storm was part of a multi-state severe weather outbreak that brought large hail from Oklahoma and Arkansas into Mississippi on April 28.
Hailstones measuring between 7.6 and 10.2 cm (3 and 4 inches) were reported across southwestern Missouri, including Aurora, Republic, and Springfield, with widespread reports of vehicle damage, shattered windows, and impacts to roofs, siding, and gutters.
The largest hailstone was reported near Godley, Texas, where a trained spotter measured 11.4 cm (4.5 inches). Surrounding communities in Johnson County reported repeated hail between 7.6 and 8.9 cm (3–3.5 inches), with wind-driven stones breaking residential windows and damaging structures.
Hail impacts were also reported at the Springfield–Branson National Airport, where officials reported 5–7.6 cm (2–3 inches) hail affected the entire 13.4 km² (3 300 acres) property. Airport spokesperson Ren Bishop Lubbering stated that vehicles across the facility, including rental fleets and privately owned cars, sustained damage.
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Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
