A multi-faceted storm system impacted central Illinois from December 26th through 28th...bringing heavy rainfall, significant ice accumulations, and strong winds.  As Canadian high pressure moved north of the Great Lakes during the early morning of December 28th, northeasterly winds brought colder air into the region.  With temperatures falling into the upper 20s and lower 30s, rain changed to freezing rain along and north of a Canton to Bloomington line.  Although warm ground temperatures prevented much freezing on paved surfaces, significant ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch were reported on elevated surfaces, including trees.  This amount of ice, combined with strong easterly winds gusting to between 40 and 50 mph, brought down many trees and power lines.  Due to the very wet soil conditions, numerous large trees were uprooted, damaging homes and taking down power lines and power poles.  Widespread power outages were reported in Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and many smaller communities.  Around 240,000 people lost power across Knox, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and McLean counties.

Ice Storm in KNOX, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 03:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 375.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Knox County reported ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.30.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 40 to 50 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 20,000 people lost power for up to 3 days after the storm.

Winter Weather in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 06:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across much of Fulton County reported ice accumulations of less than 0.25.  The greatest ice accumulations of around 0.25 occurred in the far northern part of the county, including the city of Canton where several trees fell onto power lines.

Ice Storm in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 03:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 975.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across McLean County reported ice accumulations of up to 0.25. This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 35 to 45 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 50,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm.  Numerous businesses in Bloomington-Normal were closed due to power outages.  An elderly Danvers couple died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from an improperly vented  generator in their home.

Ice Storm in MARSHALL, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 04:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 180.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Marshall County reported ice accumulations of around 0.25.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 40 to 50 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 10,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm.

Ice Storm in STARK, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 04:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Stark County reported ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.30.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 40 to 50 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 5,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm.

Ice Storm in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 05:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 450.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Woodford County reported ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.30.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 40 to 50 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 20,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm.

Ice Storm in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 05:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Tazewell County reported ice accumulations of up to 0.25.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 45 to 55 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 60,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm.

Ice Storm in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 28-DEC-15 06:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Weather observers across Peoria County reported ice accumulations of around 0.25.  This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 45 to 55 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines.  Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches.  About 75,000 people lost power for up to 3 days after the storm.  Numerous businesses were closed in Peoria due to power outages.