High Wind — Massac, Illinois

2008-09-14 · Massac, Illinois

Wider weather episode

Frequent wind gusts from 60 to nearly 70 mph caused considerable damage in southern Illinois. The low pressure center that was the remnant of Hurricane Ike raced northeast at 40 to 50 mph across Missouri and Illinois. The center passed between Carbondale and St. Louis on its way toward the northeastern states. The rapid speed of the low pressure system contributed to this high wind event.

Considerable tree damage occurred. Trees were uprooted, and very large limbs were broken. Some trees fell on homes, outbuildings, and vehicles. Fewer than a dozen homes in each county were damaged by falling trees. Others fell on commercial and public buildings. Numerous trees or limbs fell on roads and blocked them. Road closures were mostly south and east of Franklin County. All roads were cleared of debris within 12 hours in most counties. Minor roof damage was reported on some structures, mostly shingles blown off. A few structures lost entire sections of roof, including the old fire station in Rosiclare (Hardin County). The worst roof damage was mainly in the counties bordering the Ohio River. Numerous power outages occurred as utility lines and even some power poles were brought down. About 36 percent of Jackson County (including Carbondale) and 20 percent of Saline County lost power. The most extensive utility damage was along and south of a Carbondale to Harrisburg line. Schools were cancelled due to power outages in isolated areas. Nearly all power was restored within 48 hours. Electrical problems resulted in a major house fire in West Frankfort. A barn under construction was destroyed 8 miles east of Benton. The walls of a 50-year-old storage building in Metropolis collapsed after the roof was blown off. Near Round Knob in Massac County, a barn was destroyed. A lumber shed near Glendale in Pope County collapsed. Chimney tops were blown off buildings in Pinckneyville. Large signs were blown down. The Wabash River bridge between Mt. Vernon, IN and New Haven, IL was closed due to huge tarps blown onto the roadway. The tarps were for protection of workers doing maintenance on the bridge. A peak wind gust of 67 mph was measured at Cairo, and a 61 mph gust was recorded at the Carbondale airport. Carmi measured a gust to 55 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 125794. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.