A strong cold front pushing into an unseasonably warm and moist airmass across central Illinois produced a round of severe thunderstorms on December 27th.  With a very strong mid-level jet streak in place across the Midwest, the storms were able to tap into this energy and produce widespread damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.  In addtion, heavy rainfall falling on partially frozen ground led to flash flooding in a few locations.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:22:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Unanchored outdoor displays were blown off a hardware store parking lot.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:20:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Loose debris from the State Fairgrounds was blown across Peoria Road and struck a nearby gas station.

Flash Flood in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 13:26:00 to 27-DEC-08 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CUBA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Rapid rises were reported along Put Creek, causing flooding near County Road 2 and along Highway 97.

Flash Flood in STARK, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 14:30:00 to 27-DEC-08 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: STARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Camp Run Creek north of the town of Stark rapidly rose out of its banks.  This caused high water to flood portions of 1300 East and West jersey Blacktop.

Flash Flood in SCHUYLER, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 15:05:00 to 27-DEC-08 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSHVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was rapidly rising along numerous small creeks and streams across Schuyler County.  This caused flooding over some area roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:40:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four power poles were snapped off and numerous tree limbs were blown down near the US-136 and I-55 interchange.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:40:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An RV was tipped over at a dealership.  High winds destroyed a grain silo and caused roof damage at an agriculture dealership.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:50:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHIRLEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Houses were damaged in Covell.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:50:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEAN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Houses were damaged in the town of McLean.

Thunderstorm Wind in MACON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:52:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARRENSBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A barn roof was blown off at the corner of Durock and Strown Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 14:05:00 to 27-DEC-08 14:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHARPSBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The roof of an attached garage was blown off a well-built home.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 15:05:00 to 27-DEC-08 15:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTOON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were blown down in the town of Coles.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:25:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds damaged the roofs of three large barns and the grandstand overhang at the State Fairgrounds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:25:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large section of the roof was blown off the U.S. Grant School at the intersection of Monroe and Stage.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:25:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINCOLN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A semi truck was blown over near exit 126 on I-55 west of Lincoln.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:26:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPAULDING
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An unanchored mobile home was blown off its pad near the intersection of Williamsville Road and Turkey Run Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:30:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINCOLN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Power poles and lines were blown down for at least one quarter of a mile along State Route 10 outside the National Weather Service office.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The back window was blown out of a spotter's truck.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:01:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Shingles were blown off a roof and several tree limbs fell into power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:05:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A farmstead west of Springfield on McQueen Road sustained significant wind damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:20:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOLLAND
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds damaged two homes in New Holland.  Three outbuildings were blown down and numnerous trees were damaged as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:20:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds damaged the roof of the District 186 School Administration building.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:35:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALSEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 55.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Power lines were blown down and six to eight houses sustained wind damage.  Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:40:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The roof of a patio was blown off its supports and a small utility shed was flipped over.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:55:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOMINGTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong winds damaged three to four buildings at a farmstead near Ireland Grove Road and Towanda Barnes Road.  A machine shed was also destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:44:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNCAN MILLS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The roof was blown off a barn and a small shed was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in STARK, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOULON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An outbuilding was damaged between Toulon and Wyoming.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRIVOLI
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple power poles were blown down near the intersection of Downs School Road and Wasson Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:55:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOMINGTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four semi trucks were blown over on I-55 and I-74 on the west side of Bloomington.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 12:55:00 to 27-DEC-08 12:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINCAID
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 55.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple buildings sustained wind damage in Kincaid and Bulpitt.

Thunderstorm Wind in MACON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 13:28:00 to 27-DEC-08 13:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT ZION
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A pole barn was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 13:50:00 to 27-DEC-08 13:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: RANTOUL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHUYLER, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:09:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLETON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The roof was blown off a barn.

Thunderstorm Wind in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:18:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: TABLE GROVE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A barn was destroyed by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:20:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: KNOXVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A semi was blown over and a roof was ripped off a lumber yard near I-74.

Thunderstorm Wind in MASON, ILLINOIS
From 27-DEC-08 11:30:00 to 27-DEC-08 11:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: KILBOURNE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thirty utility poles were blown down on 600 North near Kilbourne.