Storms Hit Effingham Area Thursday Afternoon

A line of storms came through Effingham shortly after 1pm.

The storms left some rain, for which we are thankful, and a lot of other things, for which we are not very thankful.

We have had reports of trees across the southbound lane of Illinois Route 37 at the south edge of Watson, and across both lanes of Illinois Route 37 at Mason.

The storms also went through Arcola, blowing some semis off their wheels, blocking both southbound lanes of Interstate 57 at that location. Illinois State Police, as of 4pm, reported that troopers were still on scene of the incident, which resulted in multiple rollover semis. Traffic is being diverted off the interstate at the Tuscola interchange. Heavy winds caused the semis to roll over. Minor injuries were reported. 

In the meantime, thanks to listeners for sending along photos of the wall cloud that moved over Effingham just before the storm cut loose This is from Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza at Fire Station #1 at Fayette and Maple. 

Brady Stortzum also got photos of the same system above Walmart.

Thanks for the photos!

Tyler Repking reported hail briefly in Teutopolis, and we had similar reports in the Mason area.