Thunderstorm Wind — Jefferson, Illinois

2006-07-21 · near Countywide, Jefferson, Illinois

Event narrative

Widespread very damaging winds, estimated around 90 MPH by a National Weather Service damage surveyor, raked most of Jefferson County. The city of Mount Vernon was especially hard hit, where about 14 percent of all homes received at least minor damage. Several thousands of trees were blown down, landing on cars, power lines, roads, and houses. In the city of Mount Vernon, damage assessments indicated 1,107 homes were affected by some type of damage. 491 homes received minor damage such as roofs blown off, 152 received major damage (meaning they could be made habitable again), and 18 were destroyed. In addition, 446 other homes were affected, meaning damage was mainly cosmetic, such as shingles blown off. A business trailer owned by a construction company was blown over, landing across a roadway. Several hundred of the damaged homes sustained considerable roof damage, due to both falling trees and the direct effects of the wind. In south Mount Vernon near the intersection of Highways 142 and 37, an off-duty meteorologist reported virtually all trees were damaged, and many were blown down or uprooted. Most residential streets west of Route 37 were closed for at least a day due to fallen trees. Several people were trapped in their vehicles by fallen trees. The city's Wal-Mart store was evacuated after it sustained roof damage and a gas leak. About 80 patients of a nursing home were evacuated after it received roof damage. Windows were blown out of numerous structures. On Interstate 57, several semis were blown off the road or overturned, and a manufactured home was blown onto the southbound shoulder from a dealership located just off the highway. Gas pumps were blown over at service stations. Numerous street signs were blown down or damaged. Outside of the city of Mount Vernon in Jefferson County, one mobile home and two small permanent homes were destroyed, and around 100 other homes in the county sustained varying degrees of damage. The damaged homes included 27 in Woodlawn and eleven each in Bonnie and Nason. The roof of an elementary school in Woodlawn would likely require complete replacement. At least 11 classrooms were damaged, including some that were damaged by rainwater. Windows were blown out of houses around the county. At least 12 area residents, mostly in the city of Mount Vernon, sought treatment at a community hospital. Of those injured, about five were a direct result of the damaging wind. Power was out for several days in parts of the county. Damage to utility lines and poles was extensive. The primary utility company serving the county estimated damage to its property at over one million dollars. Crop damage was considerable. This complex of storms caused widespread damage from where it originated in the St. Louis area east to Mount Vernon.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5524178. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.