UPDATED 2:05 P.M.
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Unlike a week ago, Springfield might have been spared the worst damage following two rounds of severe weather in Springfield Wednesday. But not many other areas did.
According to storm reports submitted to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a funnel cloud was spotted east of Springfield Wednesday afternoon. The city was spared any major problems, aside from heavy rain. Among a number of other reports, power poles were downed and lines were left on roads in various parts of the county. Near Sherman, there was a report of a tree hitting a house.
For the second week, Petersburg sustained damage. This time, among other reports, social media photos indicate the Hand of Fate Brewing Company suffered damage. By Thursday afternoon, officials said, the damage was only to its facade, and that they anticipate to be open again Thursday evening. Last week, damage was reported to Lincoln’s New Salem.
Nearby, in Macon County, the town of Blue Mound saw some significant damage to homes.
Other parts of the state saw more significant storm damage. WAND-TV reports Charleston officials declared a state of emergency after storm damage there. In another part of the state, downtown Monmouth in Warren County saw damage, and outside of town, weather is believed to have caused several cars on a freight train to derail.
In some parts of Central Illinois, as much as four inches of rain fell Wednesday.
The weather is expected to be calmer for a couple days, with chances of storms Sunday, and more rain Monday. Highs will mostly be in the 80’s.
One more note: We did hear emergency weather sirens near the Capitol Media Group studios, following criticism by the Springfield City Council the day before.
