The National Weather Service have confirmed five tornadoes that destroyed buildings in central and southwestern Illinois Sunday. And forecasters say strong winds, heavy rain and high water are possible for much of the state Monday night and Tuesday. Missouri, too, saw damage as winds as high a 75 mph blasted across the state. The National Weather Service says the northern half of Illinois is under a flood watch through midday Tuesday and more storms are expected to crank up Monday night.
Cleanup Begins After Storms Rage Across Illinois
By George Sells
It was cleanup day across much of Southern Illinois as victims of a pair of tornadoes assessed the damage, and began to dig out.
In Greene County, near Roodhouse, the Richwoods Baptist Church was knocked about six feet off it's foundation. Church members were there today salvaging what they could, and counting their blessings. And they truly feel blessed.
The reason is the fact church was cancelled Sunday. Member Ron Vestel tells FOX 2 the organ player and Sunday school teacher were on vacation, so the small congregation of about ten called things off.
"We're real fortunate there wasn't anybody here because there wouldn't have been any place to go up here on the prairie."
And they would have needed a place to take cover because the storm hit when services would have been underway. Ryan Wankel says it's tough to imagine what might have happened.
"Would we have lived through this if we'd been in the building? You've seen the building. You've seen the floor. Would we have lived through this? Would the preacher have been sucked off the pulpit? You just don't know. It makes you realize how fragile life is."
The bad news here is the congregation is so small, they likely won't be able to rebuild. After more than 100 years, this small church community will likely disband.
In Jersey County another twister roared in north of Grafton. Danny Barr lost his roof, a shed, and had other damage around his property. He says it feels like the weather has been piling on.
"It's exhausting," he says. "It's been three times in a year I've had a flood or I had a windstorm last year here again too. It tore the van up. It's just one after the other."
Barr says he actually saw the tornado approaching his house. Asked what he was thinking as it came toward him, he said he wasn't.
"You don't have time. You don't have time to think. It's just instinct you get out of the way. "
Winds Damage Parish School Under Construction
By John Auble
Gusting winds Sunday did extensive damage to a parish school being built in the tiny town of Josephville. Residents in the community near Lake St. Louis are being told it's a set-back, but the school should be ready next year. Worshippers were unaware of the damage until they stepped outside after mass ended.
Cleanup Begins After Storms Rage Across Illinois
By George Sells
It was cleanup day across much of Southern Illinois as victims of a pair of tornadoes assessed the damage, and began to dig out.
In Greene County, near Roodhouse, the Richwoods Baptist Church was knocked about six feet off it's foundation. Church members were there today salvaging what they could, and counting their blessings. And they truly feel blessed.
The reason is the fact church was cancelled Sunday. Member Ron Vestel tells FOX 2 the organ player and Sunday school teacher were on vacation, so the small congregation of about ten called things off.
"We're real fortunate there wasn't anybody here because there wouldn't have been any place to go up here on the prairie."
And they would have needed a place to take cover because the storm hit when services would have been underway. Ryan Wankel says it's tough to imagine what might have happened.
"Would we have lived through this if we'd been in the building? You've seen the building. You've seen the floor. Would we have lived through this? Would the preacher have been sucked off the pulpit? You just don't know. It makes you realize how fragile life is."
The bad news here is the congregation is so small, they likely won't be able to rebuild. After more than 100 years, this small church community will likely disband.
In Jersey County another twister roared in north of Grafton. Danny Barr lost his roof, a shed, and had other damage around his property. He says it feels like the weather has been piling on.
"It's exhausting," he says. "It's been three times in a year I've had a flood or I had a windstorm last year here again too. It tore the van up. It's just one after the other."
Barr says he actually saw the tornado approaching his house. Asked what he was thinking as it came toward him, he said he wasn't.
"You don't have time. You don't have time to think. It's just instinct you get out of the way. "
Winds Damage Parish School Under Construction
By John Auble
Gusting winds Sunday did extensive damage to a parish school being built in the tiny town of Josephville. Residents in the community near Lake St. Louis are being told it's a set-back, but the school should be ready next year. Worshippers were unaware of the damage until they stepped outside after mass ended.
