Lincoln and Logan County spared brunt of Friday's storms

[June 02, 2008]  Some area residents are still cleaning up and making repairs Monday after Friday's severe weather. For the most part, Lincoln and Logan County dodged the weather bullet once again Friday, when severe weather that rampaged through Illinois spawned numerous tornadoes and severe thunderstorms across the state.

Dan Fulscher, Logan County Emergency Management Agency director, said that there were no reports of tornadoes. However, the National Weather Service believes that a microburst struck the area between Sixth and Ninth streets, about six blocks west of the hospital. It lasted about 1 1/2 minutes.

Fulscher said that a microburst is like a balloon popping -- the clouds open and air comes rushing down. A burst cannot be predicted. They can happen anytime you have a thunderstorm.

Torrential rain, dangerous lightning and high winds struck some areas. Up to 2 inches of rain flooded streets in Lincoln and 45 mph winds damaged trees.

Lincoln streets superintendent Tracy Jackson said that about 25 trees sustained light to heavy damage. The largest damaged tree seen by emergency crews was at Bob Spickard's house. Bucky Washam and several others also had major tree damage.

Lincoln was at the northern edge of the areas most affected by the thunderstorms. The severe weather caused scattered power outages, including parts of Elkhart.

Fulscher said that that the outdoor sirens were activated. The local emergency management agency works with the National Weather Service to monitor the 622 square miles of Logan County.

Fulscher wants residents to understand the criteria to activate the sirens:

• 55 mph sustained wind.

• A wall cloud has been sighted.

• A tornado or funnel cloud has been sighted.

A watch means to be ready to take shelter.

A warning means to take shelter.

When the sirens are sounded, you are in imminent danger of impact or the conditions are already taking place, he said.

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