Late afternoon, a nearly stationary frontal boundary extended from surface low pressure in Central Kansas northeast through Northern Missouri and Central Illinois.  Two main areas of thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and evening. One area developed over East Central Iowa along a southward advancing cold front.  A second area developed over Southeast Iowa, West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri as the low level jet increased above the strengthening frontal boundary.  Storms which developed over Southeast Iowa initially were elevated in nature and produced several reports of large hail.  The storms developed or propagated into Northern Missouri and West Central Illinois along the stationary frontal boundary and became more surface based.  As a result, the severe threat transitioned from large hail to damaging winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 20:43:00 to 03-OCT-00 20:43:00 (CST)
Location: OQUAWKA
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Strong winds downed trees along Highway 164.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 20:30:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:30:00 (CST)
Location: ORION
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Strong winds downed numerous trees, several grain bins and a corn crib along a path from Orion to Atkinson.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 20:45:00 to 03-OCT-00 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: PREEMPTION
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large tree limbs were blown down and blocked roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:00:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:00:00 (CST)
Location: MONMOUTH
Magnitude: 53 E
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Large tree limbs downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:25:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:25:00 (CST)
Location: LA MOILLE
Crop damage: 200K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Several fields of corn were blown over by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in PUTNAM, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:57:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:57:00 (CST)
Location: STANDARD
Magnitude: 80 M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

92 mph wind gust measured by observation equipment at Fire Department.  Numerous trees down and other damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 22:00:00 to 03-OCT-00 22:00:00 (CST)
Location: OQUAWKA
Magnitude: 52 M
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 22:20:00 to 03-OCT-00 22:20:00 (CST)
Location: MONMOUTH
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Several trees downed on city streets.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:33:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:33:00 (CST)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 52 M
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm Wind in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:55:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:55:00 (CST)
Location: PRINCETON
Magnitude: 61 M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Lightning in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:45:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:45:00 (CST)
Location: BUREAU
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Lightning knocked out power to the Village of Bureau for more than 13 hours.  Leepertown grade school was given an unexpected day off on Wednesday, due to the lengthy power outage.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 03-OCT-00 21:30:00 to 03-OCT-00 21:30:00 (CST)
Location: BUREAU
Magnitude: 61 E
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Strong winds estimated at 70 mph caused considerable damage to the Village of Bureau.  Trees were downed throughout the village.  Windows were broken out of a house on Chicago Street.  On Rock Island Street, a tree was blown down on a garage, causing the garage to collapse on a vehicle inside.  Fortunately nobody was inside the vehicle at the time.  Headstones in Greenwood Cemetery were damaged by fallen trees, and a local school had roof tiles and an outdoor security light blown off.