Storms Leave Calling Cards Throughout Area

Electrical service was restored to the Village of Stewardson about 6:30am today as work continues to restore utility service in the aftermath of Thursday evening's storms.

The storms weren't here long, but they did significant damage.

The area from Stewardson and Strasburg over to Neoga seemed to be an area hard-hit.  Reports that a 130-year-old barn in Neoga was obliterated and that trees were pulled out of the ground by their roots.

Stewardson and Strasburg were without electricity all night.  There is also no water service, so school was cancelled today in the Stew-Stras district and at Trinity Lutheran School in Stewardson.

There was a report from emergency services of a tornado north of Lake Sara.  We had a peak gust at our studios of 54MPH, but there was one report of a 64MPH gust in Mattoon.

Power was out to an area west of Effingham from 5pm to about 10:15pm.  That's what knocked 979XFM off the air during that period of time.

County EMA Director Pam Jacobs reported several low-lying roadways in the area are flooded.  Please don't try to drive on flooded roadways.