A cold front raced through the region during the afternoon of March 8th, producing strong to severe thunderstorms.  The storms spawned three tornadoes across central and southeast Illinois, as well as numerous reports of wind damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 10:44:00 to 08-MAR-09 10:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 110.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The roof was blown off an apartment complex, a trailer was rolled and destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped on the northwest side of Springfield near West Jefferson Street and Bruns Lane.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 10:32:00 to 08-MAR-09 10:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROUTY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 610.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down in a field 6 miles southwest of Loami, then tracked northeastward and dissipated about 1 mile north of Loami.  Several houses were damaged and numerous sheds and outbuildings were destroyed along the path of the tornado.  Considerable tree damage was also observed.  Two people were injured, including a woman who was struck by flying debris in her home and a man who was inside his barn when it collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 10:45:00 to 08-MAR-09 10:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

High winds caused numerous power outages and traffic lights to be knocked out near the intersection of Jones and Veterans.  Several roads were blocked by downed tree limbs, and the Archer grain elevator was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 10:46:00 to 08-MAR-09 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: CURRAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Several carports and tops of mobile homes were damaged near the intersection of I-72 and Wabash Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 10:48:00 to 08-MAR-09 10:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: JEROME
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 5-foot section of an approximately 2-feet thick brick wall was blown down at an apartment complex.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:04:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROADWELL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several 8-inch diameter tree limbs were blown down.

Hail in LAWRENCE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:30:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWRENCEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in LAWRENCE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:35:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWRENCEVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Power poles were blown down on the west side of Eureka.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINCOLN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A barn was destroyed at the intersection of Route 121 and County Road 1700.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:20:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEASON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several barns and outbuildings were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE WITT, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:40:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLINTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong winds ripped the siding off an apartment building.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:10:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKERSBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A roof was torn off a trailer in Parkersburg, and a pole barn was destroyed 3 miles east of Claremont.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The roof of a machine shed was ripped off near Philo.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:16:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVOY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Four power poles were blown down at Old Church Road and Route 130.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:43:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWRENCEVILLE ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 305.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down 1 mile northeast of the Lawrenceville Airport, then tracked northeastward to 1 mile southeast of Russellville at the Wabash River.  The tornado then crossed the Wabash River into Knox County Indiana.  Twenty irrigation units were destroyed along the path of the tornado.  Numerous grain bins, machine sheds and pole barns were severely damaged as well.  In addition, one home experienced moderate damage. One man sustained minor injuries from flying debris.

Thunderstorm Wind in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:45:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several large trees were knocked down and power lines were blown down across Attica Road just west of Rossville.

Thunderstorm Wind in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:50:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOOPESTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A trailer was blown over on Route 1 just south of Hoopeston.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:10:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWANECO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several machine shed and outbuilding roofs were damaged.  A farm gasoline barrel was blown off its stand.

Tornado in CLAY, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:03:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMP TRAVIS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down in the National Weather Service Paducah County Warning Area (CWA) in Wayne County at 11:58 AM CST.  It then tracked northeastward and crossed into southern Clay County at 12:03 PM CST.  The tornado quickly dissipated by 12:04 PM CST 7.3 miles southeast of Clay City.  One home experienced minor damage and numerous trees were blown down.