Effingham County Declares Disaster After 15-Mile Tornado Destroys 30 Homes

2 articles · Updated · WAND · Jun 18

30 homes were deemed total losses and 29 more heavily damaged after a tornado tore 12 to 15 miles across northern Effingham County on Wednesday night, prompting Board Chair Josh Douthit to issue a disaster declaration.
The declaration is meant to speed resources into the hardest-hit areas as county officials reported injuries but no fatalities and first responders handled collapsed structures, blocked roads, downed power lines and vehicle crashes.
700 customers were still without power as of 3 p.m. Thursday, and residents were urged to file damage reports while avoiding storm-damaged areas that remain difficult for emergency crews to access.
Friday inspections by county and Illinois emergency management teams are expected to take several days, helping determine the full impact on homes, businesses and farms in the county.