Live Blog: Dangerous weather coming through Central Illinois today
The latest updates from the WGLT Newsroom and the National Weather Service related to a severe weather system moving through central Illinois on Friday, March 31, 2023.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Bloomington-Normal until 7:15 p.m.
Bloomington-Normal is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 7:15 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
At 6:37 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near McLean, or 9 miles southwest of Bloomington, moving northeast at 60 mph.
60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail is expected. You can expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
This severe thunderstorm will be near...
- Bloomington and Downs around 645 PM CDT.
- Normal and Towanda around 650 PM CDT.
- Cooksville around 655 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include Lexington and Colfax.
This includes the following highways:
- Interstate 39 between mile markers 0 and 7.
- Interstate 55 between mile markers 146 and 187.
- Interstate 74 between mile markers 122 and 144.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Bloomington IL, Normal IL and Lexington IL until 7:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/9nmTi3i0wM
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) March 31, 2023
How you can report damage to McLean County's Emergency Management Agency
As another wave hits, the McLean County Emergency Management Agency is offering some guidance on how to report damage on your property.
If you sustain damage — and once it's safe to do so — you can email damage reports to ema@mcleancountyil.gov. That damage report will be shared with the National Weather Service. Be sure to include your name, address and a phone number. Add photos if you can.
This does not replace the need to contact your insurance company.
Big hail spotted in Roanoke
Big hail was doing damage in Roanoke this afternoon as the first wave of a dangerous storm system came through.
These photos were shared with WGLT by CertaPro Painters of Central Illinois, which had one of its vehicles damaged.
Roanoke is about 30 miles northwest of Bloomington-Normal.
ISU to close tonight due to severe weather
Evening events at Illinois State University are cancelled. Residence halls and dining centers will remain open to serve students.
ISU Emergency Alert: Due to forecasted extreme weather ISU will close at 4:30pm, March 31, 2023, through 12:01am Saturday April 1.
— Illinois State (@IllinoisStateU) March 31, 2023
Due to the predicted weather later tonight, the Normal Theater has canceled both shows scheduled for today. You can catch the 22nd Annual Animation Show of Shows on Saturday or Sunday (4/1-4/2) and another screening of SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING is back next Friday (4/7). pic.twitter.com/FElokafNKY
— Normal Theater (@NormalTheater) March 31, 2023
Due to the predicted weather, the Children's Discovery Museum will close at 5:00 pm today, Friday, March 31. pic.twitter.com/33HSLK7Ehq
— Discovery Museum (@DiscoveryMuseum) March 31, 2023
.@RedbirdTFXC’s Redbird Challenge scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Saturday has been canceled due to severe weather. #REDBIRDtfxc
— Vidette Sports (@Viddy_Sports) March 31, 2023
Tornado warning for small slice of northern McLean County until 3:45 p.m.
A tornado warning is in effect until 3:45 p.m. for a tiny portion of north-central McLean County.
At 3:13 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Deer Creek, or near Eureka, moving northeast at 50 mph. At 3:10 p.m. trained spotters continue to report a rotating wall cloud.
This dangerous storm will be near Eureka around 3:20 p.m., and Roanoke and Secor around 3:30. Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include El Paso.
This includes the following highways:
- Interstate 39 between mile markers 10 and 28.
- Interstate 74 between mile markers 103 and 114.
3:22 pm -- Storm spotters are reporting a tornado with this storm south of Eureka. Storm is moving toward Secor, El Paso and I-39. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/9sMKckc7dB
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) March 31, 2023
The latest briefing from the National Weather Service
Parts of western Illinois are now at High Risk (Level 5 out of 5) for severe weather from today's storms. That's from a noontime update from the National Weather Service.
There will be multiple waves of severe weather from 2 to 10 p.m. today. Storms will move very quickly, up to 60 mph.
McLean County is at a Moderate (Level 4) risk, whereas areas further west (between Peoria and the Iowa/Missouri state lines) are at the higher Level 5 risk.
What you can do to be ready for the storm
From the National Weather Service's Facebook page:
"We are now in the final stage of planning for severe storms. Make sure you and your loved ones know where your safe place is and are able to get to it quickly this afternoon when a warning is issued. Also, make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, because you won't have much time to take action given how fast these storms will be moving. This is a day to take our warnings seriously."
Tornado watch in effect until 8 p.m. tonight
McLean County is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m., as a dangerous weather system moves through central Illinois.
The National Weather Service says the severe thunderstorms will move through swiftly this afternoon and early evening. Damaging wind gusts over 70 mph, very large hail, and strong tornadoes are all possible.
Parts of western Illinois, including Peoria and Galesburg, have been upgraded to a high risk of severe weather for the afternoon and evening. The weather service says a long track of violent tornadoes are possible in those areas, which are further west. The weather service says to "take this situation very seriously."
Parts of IL including #Peoria and Galesburg will be upgraded to a HIGH risk of severe weather for this afternoon/evening. Long track violent tornadoes possible. Last high risk in central IL was 11/17/2013 (Washington's EF4 tornado). Take this situation VERY seriously! #ILwx pic.twitter.com/SCkWgfY5b4
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) March 31, 2023