Power Outage in Monticello, IL

Numerous power poles were blown down along Route 105 between Bement and Monticello.

Westerly winds increased to around 40mph with gusts of 50-60mph. A few large tree limbs and power lines were blown down.

Six power poles were snapped along IL-10 just west of Lodge.

Weather observers across Piatt County reported snowfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches. Winds gusting to between 40 and 50 mph created whiteout conditions from 1100 to 1500 CST. Snow-covered roads and poor visibility due to falling and blowing snow contributed to numerous traffic accidents across the county, especially on I-74. In addition, many trees and power lines were blown down, resulting in scattered power outages.

Lightning struck a power pole on the east side of Monticello. The lightning strike caused damage to electrical systems and appliances in several homes. There were no injuries.

An eyewitness reported that the tornado touched down on the southwest side of Monticello and traveled to the north northeast across town. It blew down numerous trees near the golf course then destroyed a storage building. In this area the tornado intensified to F2 Intensity (wind speeds of 120 to 130 mph) taking the roof of a church completely off and blew it into the roof of a nearby 2 story apartment building. The apartment building suffered severe damage and has been deemed uninhabitable. A farm implement building/business, which was close to 200 feet in length, had roughly three quarters of the building destroyed. Damage for this building was estimated at nearly $2 million, as several combines inside were severely damaged or destroyed. Debris from the building was thrown into a nearby power substation, causing a complete power outage to the town of 5,000 residents as well as neighboring communities. The tornado appeared to have lifted off the ground and stayed at tree top level for the remainder of its life through the town producing F0 damage. Numerous trees had the tops broken off and several large trees were uprooted. Once outside of town it did touch down briefly once more, damaging the roof of one home and destroying several outbuildings and a garage of another homestead about a mile north northeast of town. In this location, several 2 inch by 6 inch pieces of lumber from one of the machine sheds had shot through patio doors into the home. No injuries were reported due to the tornado. Damage is estimated around $2.2 million.