Damaging Winds and High Wind in Illinois, February 11, 1999

A severe thunderstorm quickly moved northeast across Scott County. Numerous power poles in the Glasgow area were blown down. Five miles north of Alsey several trees were blown down, a shed was destroyed, and two homes sustained minor damage. One mile south of Winchester, several buildings sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported.

Strong gradient winds caused isolated damage in Sangamon County. In Auburn, a railroad car was blown off the tracks and in Springfield there was some minor roof damage to the Illinois Supreme Court Building. Damage was estimated around $5,000.

Several trees were blown down in Beardstown.

As a severe thunderstorm moved through the area, a greenhouse in Lynnville was destroyed. In Jacksonville, four businesses sustained major roof damage and a window in a restaurant was blown in causing one minor injury from flying glass. Throughout the county, several sheds were either damaged or destroyed, numerous trees and power poles blown down, and a chimney was blown off of a house.

Widespread damage occurred in Tazewell County. As the severe thunderstorm moved northeast across the county, it took the roof off of a corn crib and flipped over an irrigation rig 3 miles southwest of Delavan then blew the roof off of a house in Delavan. In South Pekin, around a dozen power poles were blown down and six miles south of Tremont the tops of numerous trees were torn off and a swing set was blown over. Two miles northeast of Morton, 6 semis were blown over on I-74 causing 6 minor injuries. Also, in Tremont a semi was blown over on Route 9 near the interchange with I-155. No injuries occurred with this incident. Countywide numerous trees were blown over and several sheds, barns, and outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. Damage to two of the semis that were blown over is estimated around $40,000.

A semi was blown over by thunderstorm winds on I-39 just west of Minonk. No injuries reported.

A semi was blown over at the I-55/I-74 interchange on the southwest side of Bloomington. No injuries were reported. Also, a large tree was blown over across Veterans Parkway.

In Shelbyville, numerous power poles were blown down. In Stewardson, one roof of a home was completely ripped off as well as several porch roofs. No injuries were reported.

In Ivesdale, a garage was blown 20 feet off its foundation. Three miles south of Champaign, several trees and power poles were blown down. Also, 3 houses sustained siding damage and a motor home was blown over. In Champaign, part of the roof of the YMCA was damaged and railroad crossing arms were broken at 2 crossings. No injuries reported and no damage estimate was available.

Several power poles were blown down in Mattoon.

Numerous power poles and power lines were blown down.

A semi was blown over on I-74 just north of Fithian. The driver sustained minor injuries. In Danville, several windows on a business were broken and in Hoopeston several power poles were blown down.