A strong low pressure system tracked east-northeast across central Illinois during the morning. Strong west winds developed in the wake of a strong cold front that raced eastward across the Lower Ohio and Mid Mississippi Valleys. Peak wind gusts were generally around 50 mph. Many counties reported that trees fell, mainly the weakest trees. Numerous trees were down in Mount Vernon. In Benton, a 16-inch diameter maple tree broke about 25 feet above the ground and demolished an adjacent wooden fence. Numerous trees were down in the Franklin County town of West City, causing power outages and starting some wires burning. Other downed trees were reported in Wayne, Edwards, and Wabash Counties. Sporadic power outages occurred due to downed power lines and trees. In Saline County, a tree fell on a moving car on Illinois 34 between Galatia and Thompsonville. The car was destroyed, but nobody was injured. In Williamson County, a road crew spent 12 hours removing trees from roadways. City workers in Marion spent 9 hours clearing trees from streets. Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Union County, knocking out power to the Cobden area. Several trees were down in Carbondale, knocking out power to 147 households in the city. The ferry across the Ohio River from Cave-In-Rock, IL to Crittenden County, KY was shut down because of the winds.

Strong Wind in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 07:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 05:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 07:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 06:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 06:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 18.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 06:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 10:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 44.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 06:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in UNION, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 05:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong Wind in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in JOHNSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 07:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 10:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 05:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 05:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 11-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 42.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS