Power Outage in Gibson City, IL

A tornado occurred southeast of Gibson City on the evening of January 3rd. An NWS storm survey found that the tornado touched down just south of E 200N Rd on the south side of town between N 450E Rd and N 600E Rd at approximately 5:56 PM CST. Trekking northeastward near 30 mph, the tornado carved a path spanning 2.9 miles with a maximum width of 25 yards before lifting at 6:02 PM CST north of E 300N Rd just east of N 700E Rd. Along its path, the tornado damaged the roofs of two homes, one of which was also noted to have broken windows and a wooden post penetrating the roof. Additionally, there was significant damage to a lean-to style outbuilding as well as uprooted trees and downed power lines. The tornado was assigned an EF-1 rating with maximum wind speeds of 100 mph.

A tree was blown down onto power lines.

Widespread tree and powerline damage was reported in Gibson City. The roof of the hospital was damaged and a baseball dugout was destroyed.

Tree damage was reported in Gibson City including tree limbs and power lines blown down and one small tree snapped at its base.

A large tree was blown down on Lott Blvd. Numerous tree limbs were blown down. Power was reported out for much of Gibson City.

Numerous trees and tree limbs were blown down along with some power lines. One tree was blocking the road near Church and 8th Streets. Most of the damage was concentrated between 8th and 14th streets, east of Sangamon Street.

A row of power lines were blown down into a field south of Route 9 along County Road 300E. A Large tree was uprooted across Route 54.

Witnesses described a tornado briefly touching down and hitting a barn, killing two horses, then lifting back up. Six power poles were also blown down. Emergency managers found debris as far as approximately six miles away.

Multiple power lines were blown down along Route 54 between Gibson City and Thawville.

Numerous trees up to two feet in diameter, tree limbs and power lines were blown down in Gibson City. Some trees and tree limbs fell onto houses. A semi tanker trailer was pushed over on its side. A large grain bin under construction was knocked off its foundation. Damage to the grain bin itself was estimated at $750,000.

At State Road 9 and County Road 1100E several large evergreens were uprooted and part of the roof of an outbuilding was blown off. Further down SR 9, between 1100E and 1200E, a few utility poles and power lines were blown down. Near SR 9 and 1200E a farm house had windows broken and siding damaged by wind. A pickup truck also had windows broken.