Delavan, Cameron hit by tornado; no major injuries reported

Posted on July 17, 2015

By Eric Stock

DELAVAN – A tornado caused damage to several Central Illinois communities on Thursday night, including the Tazewell County town of Delavan.

Deputy director of the Tazewell County Emergency Management Agency Jerry Zurcher said several homes and other structures in the southeast corner of the city shortly before midnight. Some homes had minor damage, some were far worse.

The National Weather Service reports a tornado hit Delavan at 11:37 p.m.

Zurcher said there were only a few minor injuries reported after the storm, no one was hurt as the storm came through town.

“We are just fortunate there was not loss of life,” Zurcher said. “We are thankful for that.”

Zurcher said it’s difficult to assess the damage during the overnight hours. There is also no power in Devalan as of 3:30 a.m.

“The full extent of the damage won’t be known until we see things during daylight,” Zurcher said.

Earlier Thursday night, a tornado caused substantial damage in the west-central Illinois town of Cameron just southeast of Monmouth. Police aren’t letting anyone in the town of about 600 people to survey the damage. There are no reports of injuries there.

A tornado reportedly touched down in Cameron at about 7:30 p.m. Illinois State Police say the storm downed numerous power lines and caused several gas leaks. Police have cordoned off the town and aren’t letting anyone in to survey the damage.

The Tazewell County community of Armington also reported downed trees and power lines, blocking several streets. There are no reports of damage in McLean County, though severe thunderstorms came through overnight.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield to deploy personnel and equipment if needed to help local emergency responders with public safety issues.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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