Effingham, Illinois – Drivers along Interstate 57 in southern Illinois have minutes to act as a tornado-producing storm tracks directly toward the highway, threatening travel between mile markers 143 and 156 before 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Tornado Warning remains in effect for southern Effingham County until 3:30 p.m. after radar detected rotation near Edgewood at 3:06 p.m. The storm is moving northeast at 40 mph and is capable of producing a tornado and quarter-size hail.
Edgewood and Mason were in the storm’s path around 3:10 p.m., with Watson and Heartville facing impact near 3:20 p.m. Flying debris poses the greatest danger. Mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. Roofs, vehicles and trees are also at risk as wind circulation tightens.
Motorists on I-57 should exit immediately and seek sturdy shelter. Do not shelter under overpasses. Residents should move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. Those in vehicles or outdoors need to reach a substantial building now.
The warning remains active until 3:30 p.m., and additional alerts could follow if the storm strengthens or expands northeast.
