F2 Tornado — Sangamon, Illinois

2006-03-12 · near New Berlin, Sangamon, Illinois

Event narrative

Continuation of Morgan county tornado. The total path length of the tornado was about 65.5 miles, including a 45.0 mile path across the WFO Central Illinois service area.Damage from the storm over Scott, Morgan and rural Sangamon counties consisted of the snapping of power poles and major tree damage, either ripped up or uprooted. Numerous farm buildings (both Morton type buildings and barns) were damaged or destroyed, as were numerous grain bins. One mobile home was destroyed.This long track tornado moved into the city of Springfield before dissipating. The tornado crossed Interstate 72 near mile marker 92, around 8:20 PM. It entered the city of Springfield near Cockrell Lane and Constitution Drive, tracking to the east-northeast around 50 mph. The tornado was about 300 yards wide, and produced F2 damage to several businesses from Constitution Drive, through Parkway Pointe, to Veterans Parkway and Lindbergh Blvd.The tornado widened to about 0.4 mile wide as it continued to track east-northeast south of Wabash Avenue, between Veterans Parkway and Chatham Road. The tornado widened further, to just over 1/2 mile wide from Westchester Blvd to the village of Jerome. The damage was rated as F2 along Wabash Avenue, between Chatham Road and MacArthur Blvd.The tornado then weakened slightly, producing F1 damage, as it turned to the northeast, nearly parallel with the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. The damage path remained nearly 1/2 mile wide. The width of the tornado decreased to about 1/4 mile wide as it strengthened again, and turned to the north-northeast near Iles Park and in the vicinity of Oak and Myrtle Streets, between 6th and 9th Streets. The damage was rated as F2 in these locations, with roofs blown off of homes and businesses, and garages severely damaged. This tornado dissipated just north of 9th Street and South Grand Avenue.1 injury was reported in Morgan county, with 19 injuries reported in Sangamon county. No fatalities were reported.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5493732. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.