Severe Storm Visits Southern Part of County; Flooding in Mattoon

(THANKS TO CAROL RUFFNER FOR THE PHOTOS ACCOMPANYING THIS STORY)

Reports of a flattened barn and downed power lines from a severe storm that traveled through the southern part of Effingham County Tuesday afternoon.

The barn is located at 3974 N. 600th Street, near Edgewood. No one was injured in the incident, but power lines were taken down when the barn collapsed.

(A MEMBER OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY IS BELIEVED TO BE THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY)

A person in the house at the farm was advised to stay inside until power crews reached the scene to make sure there was no danger from the downed lines.

Law enforcement personnel were notified by members of the public shortly before 5pm of a cloud aloft near I-57 at Mason that looked like a tornado cloud, but there was no report of a touchdown. The storm cloud traveled through the Watson area and on east through the Dieterich and Elliotstown communities before heading into Jasper County.

(THIS MOBILE HOME IS OWNED BY ALLEN SCHUMACHER. THE UNIT THANKFULLY IS UNINHABITED)

A tornado watch remained in effect until 8pm Tuesday.

Hail was reported in a number of locations in the county mid-morning Tuesday, ranging from pea- to marble-sized. 

(THIS IS COURTESY OF A LISTENER WHO DID NOT WISH TO BE CREDITED FROM ALONG 200TH AVENUE, JUST EAST OF THE FAYETTE/EFFINGHAM COUNTY LINE)

(AND THIS HOME IS ALONG ILLINOIS ROUTE 185 NORTH OF ST. PETER)

Meanwhile, flooding is still occurring in several areas, but the rain was all but over by Tuesday evening.

The worst flooding occurred in Mattoon. The Lake Land College campus was flooded to the point that classes were canceled for the day and the campus was closed at noon.

Mattoon firefighters responded to the area of 2nd and Oklahoma for flooding, and a total of five homes were evacuated. 11 people from those residences were evacuated by boat. There were also two other evaucations made during the same time frame. The other locations were evacuated with the assistance of Mattoon fire personnel. Some of the evacuees were taken to a local shelter provided by the Red Cross. No injuries were reported.

(THIS WAS THE SCENE IN THE PARKING LOT AT LAKE LAND COLLEGE TUESDAY MORNING. THE FLOODING LED TO THE CLOSING OF THE COLLEGE FOR THE DAY)

We might even see some sunshine on Wednesday, but the high temperature is only going to reach the lower 40s.