Power Outage in Cutler, IL

Power was out, and five-inch tree limbs were down. A trained spotter estimated wind gusts near 75 mph.

One female was injured by a falling six-inch tree branch. A passer-by removed the limb from her. Injuries were minor. Several trees and branches were down across Cutler. One tree was on a power line. Branches several inches in diameter were snapped. A trained spotter estimated peak winds were 60 to 65 mph.

A wind gust to 63 mph was measured. Power outages were reported in the area.

Trees were uprooted, and power lines were down.

Power poles were downed in the city limits. There were power outages.

The tornado entered Perry County, IL from Randolph County about 1.5 miles south of Highway 154. The Perry County segment of the tornado was rated at its maximum intensity and width shortly after crossing the county line. Shortly after crossing into Perry County, some coal trucks were blown over, and a modular home was totally destroyed on Route 154 near Route 150. Two persons in the home were trapped inside for a time, but they sustained only minor injuries that were treated at a local hospital. Route 150 was closed for 12 hours due to downed trees and power lines. Within a few miles of the destroyed modular home, some hogs were killed at a hog farm, and an empty grain bin was picked up and blown 100 yards into a field. Several eyewitnesses at this location reported two funnels. As the tornado continued its northeast movement, passing northwest of Pinckneyville, it weakened to F1 intensity. Near where it crossed Illinois Route 13, trees were uprooted, roofs were blown off, and power poles were snapped. Siding was blown off a house. Near the end of the tornado track, just northwest of Tamaroa, a metal building was destroyed. Debris from the building was blown about 400 yards. A nearby house lost all of its shingles. Along the 20-mile path through Perry County, dozens of barns and outbuildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Dozens of homes sustained varying degrees of damage, ranging from minor to major. Hundreds of trees were uprooted or snapped. Peak winds on this county segment were estimated at 140 MPH, mainly near the Randolph County line. The average path width was close to 200 yards. A deputy sheriff reported a tornado crossing U.S. Highway 51 north of Tamaroa. This was the last evidence of the tornado, which likely dissipated as it crossed Route 51.