CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Tornadoes and large storms swept across Central Illinois Monday night with high winds and property damage reported.
The National Weather Services (NWS) issued a warning of severe thunderstorms until 10:30 p.m. CDT Monday night. The alert included the anticipation of destructive winds of up to 80 mph. Residents were advised to stay indoors in a solid structure with warnings of flying debris, extensive tree damage, and penny-sized hail. Major damage to windows, vehicles, and mobile homes were projected across the path of the storms.
Chambana Today’s sister radio station Mix 94.5 posted a “Weather Check-in” on Facebook to make sure their listeners were safe. Morning show hosts Tommy and Callie received several comments including one from a listener named Sammy who said he was “hunkered down in the basement with the air mattress blown up ready for bed, me and my cat.” Another listener, Jeffrey Thomas Markland, Jr., commented “tree down in our backyard that knocked out our power, Hangin’ in the basement with the wife and critters till it passes.”
Several Facebook posts showed how the storm’s intense winds completely toppled a tree in Champaign last night causing it to fall into a power line and blow a transformer. Power outages and damage were also reported across the county, with two large branches blocking the roads at Crescent and Hemlock. Amerin.com reports that 37,339 customers in Illinois are still without power.