Powerful thunderstorms developed across eastern Iowa during the early morning hours of August 5th, then tracked eastward along an outflow boundary into the Illinois River Valley.  The storms tapped into a mid-level wind max tracking through the region and were able to produce windespread wind gusts ranging from 60 to 80mph.  The hardest hit areas were from Peoria and Fulton counties eastward to McLean County.

Thunderstorm Wind in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 05:15:00 to 05-AUG-08 05:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOOPESTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Twenty five to thirty large trees were blown down in Hoopeston.  One tree destroyed a car.

Thunderstorm Wind in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 05:35:00 to 05-AUG-08 05:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down in Danville.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:55:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTONVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An aluminum flag pole was snapped by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:05:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROANOKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A three-foot diamter tree was blown down onto a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:05:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST PEORIA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Three six to eight-inch diameter trees were snapped by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:15:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Around a dozen oak trees were sheared off by high winds at Lake Eureka.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:20:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOMINGTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down onto powerlines.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:40:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCEVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Two outbuildings were destroyed.  A garage was damaged, with debris from the structure blocking a road.  One horse was injured.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:48:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Numerous trees were blown down around the city of Peoria.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:38:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two and a half to three-foot diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:15:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: ABINGDON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down onto powerlines.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:30:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARMINGTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:20:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORMAL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down onto powerlines on the north side of Normal.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 04:35:00 to 05-AUG-08 04:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLFAX
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Powerlines were blown down around Colfax, resulting in approximately 600 people losing power.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 05-AUG-08 03:50:00 to 05-AUG-08 03:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA HGTS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A thirty six-inch diameter tree was split by strong winds.