Highway 130 closed for hours this morning after storm

EDWARDS CO.—High winds during what can only be described as a “freak” storm that blew through Edwards and Richland counties this morning disrupted power for many this morning…but sent several to the hospital in an even “freak”er incident on highway 130.

From Wabash Valley Communique`s Facebook page

According to Illinois State Police, four power poles were blown over in winds exceeding 70 miles per hour when a squall line thunderstorm barreled through north Edwards and south Richland about 7:30 this morning. The cell was so isolated that while a mass of clouds and storm activity was spotted on radar considerably to the north, there was NOTHING apparent on downstate radar except one intense little county-sized red radar patch…and that was the one that knocked over the poles.

From the looks of it in the accompanying photo, they appear to be in the vicinity of Marv’s Feed Service, where 130 dips and rises again.

The power poles and lines, according to trooper Brian Rawls at the scene, fell on at least four cars that were traveling the highway at that time of morning. Rawls advised that it was his understanding there were several people who were transported to area hospitals. We don’t have information on the conditions of any of them, or who any of them were, but we’re working that.

It took several hours for power crews to get it all under control. Our power was out here at the house for over an hour (7:45 to 9). Highway crews were routing traffic as far back as the West Salem crossroads (161 and 130) and the intersection of 130 and U.S. 50 in Olney.

The forecast calls for possible isolated storms during this next horrific heat wave, but these pop-ups are brutal this time of year…so use caution the next time one comes up.

Short URL: http://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=13644

Posted by Jack Howser on Jul 19 2012. Filed under Breaking, Edwards, Richland. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry