Illinois State Batters Storm, Many Left Without Power

Images courtesy Illinois State Students 

NORMAL, IL. – On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service [NWS] reported that McLean County was hit by 1.64 inches of rain in one hour. The storms caused damage to telephone poles, trees, and buildings on Illinois State University’s campus and the surrounding communities. 

“It kind of looked like a hurricane out there with all the wind and all the rain,” Garrett Sanders, a visitor from Northern Illinois, said. “Driving was not safe, I felt like I was in a boat most of the time. We were going through about three feet of water at some spots.” 

Due to the damage, the Normal Fire Department has put out a statement urging the public to stop calling regarding damage caused by the storm unless there truly is an emergency. The Department also warns residents to stay away from downed wires and out of flooded roadways.  

Illinois State Grounds and Maintenance workers close off quad Thursday afternoon.

Several emergency alerts have been issued by ISU, the latest of which states the “campus has sustained damage,” which will affect move-in for families this welcome week. The Bone Student Center as well as Marketplace at Linkins will remain closed, while Watterson Dining Commons will operate as normal.  

Watterson did not escape the storm unharmed, as windows on the buildings’ T-Level were blown out, and the buildings’ main drop-off and pickup area is submerged in several inches of water

Residential areas have also been heavily affected as hundreds of trees have been completely uprooted and snapped. This knocked down power lines across the city and on campus with Ameren Illinois reporting 22,500 residents without power. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center also confirmed it is no longer accepting patients as the roof was damaged and water has entered the building.

There are also several streets flooded, including Vernon, Beaufort, North School Street, West Locust and Mulberry. On these streets, some cars are nearly fully submerged, and on others, trees lay across the hoods and windshields of vehicles. 

Vehicles underwater at Vernon and Beaufort underpass.

Authorities assure residents that emergency responders are hard at work clearing streets and maintaining safe roadways. On ISU’s campus, Student Services also remains open for any students who need help or have questions.  

If you need immediate assistance, please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 309-438-1489