LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
The City of Paris and other rural parts of Edgar County experienced an unexpected bout of severe weather when an EF1 tornado touched down on March 15. The twister moved through parts of the city, downing trees, damaging rooftops, closing businesses and knocking out power in several neighborhoods.
“The tornado touched down one mile south of Paris near the intersection of E 750th Rd and N 1400th St, where it leveled an outbuilding and snapped off a tree into a home,” Everett Lau told a Prairie Press reporter. “It proceeded toward the southeast part of Paris, where it damaged several homes, mobile homes and trees. It continued northeast, producing periodic damage before it dissipated on the north side of the Sycamore Hills Country Club.”
The tornado peaked around 90 mph between 12:50 a.m. and 12:54 a.m. on March 15. The storm reached a max width of 425 yards and was reported as having stretched just over three miles, according to Lau.
“This is the first tornado in the southern half of the county since 1996,” Lau said, noting that there have been several since 1996 in the northern half. “The last tornado recorded in Edgar County was on Dec. 10, 2021 (it hit north of Chrisman.)”
According to the weather wizard, a weak FO is also listed as touching down on Paris’ northeast side on July 30, 1992.
Residents of Paris described a sudden and intense shift in the weather in the early hours of March 15, with dark clouds, strong wind and heavy rain preceding the tornado’s arrival. Some reported hearing “freight train” sounds associated with tornadoes, while others noticed debris swirling in the air.
The rain, wind and rapid change in temperatures caused several trees to uproot and fall. Several power lines snapped, fell and snapped from the same elements.
While damage to homes and businesses, especially along Jasper Street in Paris was tremendous, no deaths or serious injuries have been reported from the storm. The most serious complications of the storm were seen in power outages and severe damages to garages and homes.
According to EnerStar Electric, power outages began shortly before 1 a.m. and were scattered throughout the company’s service territory. Approximately 1,500 accounts were without service at the height of the outages and 11 transmission poles on the Baldwin substation east of Paris were lost.
By 10 a.m. on the 15th, the cooperative reported less than 115 outages with the anticipation to have the remaining power lines restored by the end of the day.
Others who lost power were not as fortunate.
At the intersection of High Street and Jasper, McDonalds, Walmart, Edgar County housing apartments and First Farmers Bank lost power quickly and struggled to have it restored.
In true community style, individuals and organizations came together to care for those in the apartment complex without power. Water and snacks were donated by Walmart, a generator was placed in common areas and a second was donated for the running of the elevator at the complex. Wellness checks were also performed for each resident.
“We have the best of the best taking care of the Housing Authority,” Jane Thomey said on Facebook. “They truly care for all the residents and bend over backward to make sure we have what we need. Thanks, Walmart for your generous donation to the HighRise residents.”
“It is so comforting to know that my dad has people that have his back there,” Edgar County resident Marisa Sunkel said. “I am beyond thankful for how you all look out for each other … Small communities are all about this and I am so thankful to be part of this one.”
Just after 8 p.m. on March 16, power was finally restored. Walmart was reopened to serve the public without perishable items around 10 a.m. on March 17.
“Every storm is unique and challenging in its own way, and obviously, this one (was) no different,” Chad Schimpf of Ameren Illinois said. “There were multiple tornado warnings, along with 70 mph wind gusts. We understand how challenging and inconvenient it can be to be without power, as usual, we brought in resources to assist from across the state, as well as many of our own personnel.”
Damage from the tornado is expected to take several weeks. Several signs at local businesses need to be replaced and homes and garages are in need of extensive repairs.