Three tornadoes have now been confirmed in the area following Sunday evening’s severe storms across central Illinois. This was part of a larger system that brought five tornadoes overall throughout the state. 

According to the National Weather Service, survey teams determined that tornadoes touched down near Assumption, Bethany, and Arthur on March 15. Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported.

Pictures courtesy of Assumption Fire Department

The strongest of the three occurred in Assumption, Illinois and was rated an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 miles per hour. The tornado was on the ground from approximately 6:18 to 6:20 p.m., carving a path about 1.4 miles long and reaching a maximum width of 80 yards. Officials say it touched down just southwest of town near West Illinois Street, where it uprooted and snapped numerous trees and knocked over several power poles. As it moved through town, additional trees were damaged and roofing material was torn from a downtown building and thrown into a nearby alley. The tornado then exited to the northeast, causing additional tree damage before dissipating prior to reaching Highway 51.

A second tornado developed near Bethany, Illinois at about 6:37 p.m. This tornado was rated EF-0 with estimated peak winds of 85 miles per hour. It began roughly two miles west of town, uprooting an old tree before curving northeast. Survey crews say the tornado damaged several trees and destroyed an outbuilding along County Road 225 East before dissipating near Highway 121 around 6:40 p.m. The tornado traveled about 2.2 miles and reached a width of 50 yards.

A third EF-0 tornado touched down near Arthur, Illinois at about 6:54 p.m. The storm formed roughly two miles southeast of town near North County Road 100 East. Officials say the tornado produced tree damage and destroyed an outbuilding, tossing debris into a nearby field. As it curved east along East County Road 300 North and later turned north toward Highway 133, the tornado caused additional tree and outbuilding damage before dissipating around 6:57 p.m. The storm also traveled about 2.2 miles and reached a maximum width of 80 yards.

While the tornadoes caused scattered property and tree damage across the region, officials say the lack of injuries is a positive outcome following the evening storms. The National Weather Service continues to review storm reports from the system that moved through central Illinois Sunday evening.