Thunderstorm Wind — Mclean, Illinois

2009-06-27 · near Covel, Mclean, Illinois

Event narrative

A canopy was blown across a road in rural McLean County, causing a head-on collision between two vehicles. The incident took place near the intersection of 1100 N and 600 E. A 91 year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles died at the scene. The strong winds were caused by a thunderstorm gust front and were estimated to be around 40 to 45 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front approaching the Mississippi River triggered a line of strong to severe thunderstorms across west-central Illinois during the evening of June 27th. Numerous reports of wind damage were received, primarily along and west of the I-55 corridor. A fatality occurred in McLean County when a canopy blown into the road by a non-severe gust front caused a head-on collision.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.4438, -89.1508)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 180865. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.