Published: May 12, 2008 12:24 pm            

Wind takes down trees

South central Illinois was pounded Sunday by high winds and rain as the result of the same storm system that led to several deaths in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

National Weather Service meteorologist Kirk Huettl said Illinois escaped the deadly weather because it was on the north side of a low pressure system centered near the Illinois-Kentucky border Sunday. More severe weather was to the south of that center, he said.

But Sunday’s weather was bad enough in the Effingham area. Winds of up to 47 miles an hour in Effingham blew down tree limbs and power lines in some areas. Other areas suffered through even windier conditions. Wind speeds in Lawrenceville were measured at 52 miles per hour, while Mattoon and East St. Louis reported speeds of 54 and 56 miles per hour, respectively.

There was rain along with that wind, as well, with 1.03 inches falling in Effingham Sunday. Most areas of central Illinois received between 3 and 5 inches of rain since the wet weather began Wednesday.

Trees were down in front of the Hendelmeyer Recreation Center on South Fourth Street, Effingham, as well as Community Park in the northeast part of town. Jeff Althoff, maintenance supervisor for the Effingham Park District, said trees were down near the Khoury League diamond at Community Park, as well as the southwest diamond at the same park.

Althoff said he hadn’t completely assessed the damage this morning, however.

Area firefighters were busy in some parts of Effingham County Sunday. Chief Jon Becker of the Altamont Fire Protection District reported firefighters provided traffic control because of downed power lines near the intersection of Main and Jackson on the north end of the city. Becker said firefighters stayed on the scene from 9:13 to 10:05 a.m.

Near Teutopolis, firefighters from Teutopolis Fire Protection District stood by after a tree fell on a power line at 15389 1800th St., near the entrance to K&N Subdivision northeast of town. Chief Tim McMahon said firefighters stayed on the scene for about 45 minutes after the tree fell at about 2:30 p.m.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.