Winds, Rain Hit Effingham Wednesday Afternoon; EHS Athletic Complex Closed

(THE JV OUTFIELD FENCE AT EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL)

Strong winds and heavy rains only passed through Effingham briefly Wednesday afternoon, but they packed a punch.

The storm hit about 5pm, snapping off trees and power poles and downing power lines. The rainfall totaled a half an inch in about half an hour. 

There was damage on the west side of town, including the Effingham High School athletic complex. Soccer goals were tossed about, the entrance sign to the tennis courts was blown across the street, and there was damage to the outfield fence on the JV softball field.

Across Wernsing Avenue, a semi trailer was overturned as was a camper.

(THE SEMI TRAILER BLOWN OVER ACROSS WERNSING AVENUE FROM THE EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS COMPLEX)

A tree was broken off in front of the EHS building, 

The Effingham High School outdoor athletic complex is temporarily closed to the public due to damage caused by Wednesday‘s storm.

There were several reports of downed power lines throughout the Effingham Business Park along South Raney Street. Ameren Illinois crews were working into the evening to make repairs.