Strong Storms Hit Area Wednesday Evening

Strong storms damaged the Effingham area Wednesday evening.

Large hail and gusty winds tore roofs off buildings, blew semis off roadways and caused fires.

(SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ROOF AT PARADISE INN ON WEST FAYETTE)

The activity began around 6pm when the storm sirens were sounded after a member of the public reported rotation aloft in the area of the Keller Drive interstate interchange. The storms arrived between 6:30 and 6:45pm.

A tree was blown over onto power lines at a house in the 300 block of North Henrietta Street. Sparks resulted and some fire damage to the exterior of the house. Ameren got the electrical service turned off at the house by about 8:30pm. Fire Chief Bob Tutko said firefighters used dry chemical extinguishers to put out the fire, which also affected a detached garage at the location.

(THE HOUSE ON NORTH HENRIETTA)

A carport or shed was blown across both lanes of US Route 40 near Crystal Street between Effingham and Teutopolis. An IDOT crew came to the scene to move the unit off the highway to get the road re-opened.

(THE CARPORT ACROSS ROUTE 40)

Winds blew three semis off I-70, two off the westbound lanes near Greenup, and one off the eastbound lanes near Montrose. Traffic was blocked for a time on the westbound lanes with vehicles routed off onto US Route 40. Another rig was off the roadway along I-70 between Effingham and Altamont.

Significant damage was done to the roof of Paradise Inn Motel on West Fayette in Effingham. Winds damaged the roof, and a large tree fell against the building. No injuries were reported.

An Effingham landmark, the sign at the Orchard Inn along North 3rd Street, was blown over by the winds.

(THE ORCHARD INN SIGN ON THE GROUND)

A listener down near Dutch Lane reported her four-inch in diameter flagpole was bent over by the wind.

There were reports of storms from as far northwest as Taylorville and as far east as Lawrence County.

We will continue to get you more information as it becomes available.