Storms wreak havoc across the area
Pictured is the approaching storm on Wednesday afternoon as seen in downtown Waterloo. (Alan Dooley photo)
A quick-moving storm darkened Monroe County skies about 3 p.m. Wednesday, with straight-line wind gusts up to 70 mph not far behind.
Police and emergency management workers were kept busy as the strong winds snapped power lines and downed trees, blocking streets and knocking out power to the masses.
At the height of the storm local dispatchers fielded near-constant calls of electrical lines down, arcing, smoking or burning. The Columbia Fire Department handled an elevator rescue at the Hampton Inn — all parties were fine — and a shed fire on Gall Road that damaged farm equipment.
Pictured is the home of Greg and Lisa Clamors on Grand Avenue in Waterloo, after wind lifted and flipped their covered patio onto the roof. (Kermit Constantine photo)
Homes throughout Monroe County and much of the St. Louis area were without power into the evening. Electric service was restored to many homes by about 10 p.m., with some not getting power restored until the early morning hours on Thursday.
The New Athens News Brief posted an alert from the Village of New Athens and St. Clair County Emergency Management on Thursday that Ameren is power there to be back on by late Friday afternoon.
“If you know of a Monroe County resident that is still without power, please advise them that Oak Hill is open as a cooling center,” the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency posted on its Facebook page late Thursday morning. “They are more than welcome to come and spend some time and get out of the heat today.”
