Ashkum, Woodland, farm fields damaged

The sounds of chain saws pretty popular Sunday in Iroquois County.

Clean-up operations were underway in Clifton and Crescent City following a severe Saturday afternoon storm that toppled trees, tore down power lines and power poles, damaged some homes, and ripped apart several farm fields.

The NWS is expected to review damaged areas today (Mon).

What's fortunate is that there were no injuries reported. Crescent City Mayor Jim Ward said 'there was no advance warning for people' Ward said no one sounded emergency sirens, adding "that's the job of emergency management."

The NWS was tracking the storm from Grundy County. It moved into Kankakee County, threatening Bradley and Bourbonnais (forcing a high school summer football game to be postponed) then into the Herscher area and threatening the Chebanse-Clifton area in Iroquois County.

The NWS extended the 'warning' to the Ashkum, Danforth, Crescent City and Watseka areas too. Heavy rain, damaging winds, damaging hail pelted homes, farm fields and inflicted serious damage to a large building at the former Sea Sprite Boat factory property, along Rt 24 west of Watseka. Several poles and power lines came down.

Crescent-Iroquois Fire Chief Scott Schroeder said the storm was tracked thru town. Power lines were down, power was off 'til 11:30 pm. A gas leak was reported. Trees and lines were down, vehicles and homes were damaged. Mutual aid was provided by Gilman, Danforth and Ashkum. The MABAS Division 37 also provided help.

The Village of Clifton was a mess Sunday. Chebanse Township Fire Chief and Village Maintenance Manager Tim Kent described the damage, saying trees and power lines came down, roads were closed, and vehicles were damaged.

But Kent also said the response for help was great. "road districts, villages and private people and businesses all stepped it up."

94.1 WGFA