Tornadoes cause damage in the River Region

RIVER REGION — It is not known, at this time, exactly how many tornadoes moved through the River Region Sunday night. There were likely at least two and maybe more.

Locations impacted by the tornadoes included a house near Route F and Route AA where a resident was reportedly trapped inside a damaged home which had electrical wires over it. First responders went to the scene to rescue the individual. There was no confirmation on the individual’s condition, but it was reported they were able to get out of their damaged building after all.

More serious damage was reported in St. Mary, where the city’s Antique Mall and homes near the mall were hit by the storm.

St. Mary Antique Mall (Photo by Shane Bert)

Rescuers checking damaged buildings for trapped victims found one, a dog buried in the rubble of the antique mall. The female dog, which appears to be a lab-basset mix was taken to the county dog kennel. The dog has a red collar and didn’t appear to be hurt according to Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Barton.

Homes near the St. Mary Antique Mall were damaged. (Photos by Lance Meyer)

The C&I Car lot on Highway 61 was hit. (Photos by Illinois Weather)MORE

In St. Mary, the storm also hit cars on the C & I lot on Highway 61 and topped railcars on the nearby Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks.

Power was out in St. Mary and several other areas in the River Region.

Persons were asked to avoid the Coffman and St Mary areas. There is damage with power lines down. It is not safe for the general public to be there and the first responders need room to work. Thank you for your co-operation.

A tornado also touched down in Randolph County causing damage to a barn along Route 150.

Power poles were snapped along Route 150 between Paradise Cemetery and the county road district in Bremen. (Photo by Cody Wilson)

A house at the intersection of Three Springs Road and Palestine Road was hit by the twister.

Photos by Illinois Weather

A barn and a silo were also it.

Damage was also reported in Chester.

The National Weather Service provided a list of damage that had been reported to it.