Cleanup Continues in Dieterich Following Monday's Storms

Storm cleanup around the Dieterich area continues today, following Monday's storms that have left many residents asking if it was a tornado, or straight line winds that caused widespread damage.

Angela Bellville sent us this image of her flattened shed on Facebook, which she said was "lifted straight up and into the road."

Following the storm Monday evening, the Effingham County Sheriff's Department asked that residents avoid travel through Dieterich, and on Route 33 through town, due to the debris and downed power lines.

A fallen tree blocks a street in Dieterich. Scenes like this were common after Monday's storms

By late evening Monday, crews had cleared the streets of debris, and the request by police to not travel through town had been lifted.

However, there's still much to clean up, and a lot of damage to assess, like the home in the photo below, located south of the post office in Dieterich, which may be a total loss after a tree landed on it.

Dieterich Mayor Brad Hardiek said Tuesday morning that electrical service was interrupted in parts of the village, but was restored by late Monday night. The mayor said an area will be established in the northwest corner of the Industrial Park in Dieterich for residents to take their downed limbs and trees. He said if citizens aren't able to take the debris to the site on their own, they should phone Dieterich Village Hall at 925-5410 and ask Village crews for assistance.