Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes moved through the southern Illinois region Friday afternoon and evening. Most of the severe weather missed the immediate Wayne County area, with most of the storms passing to the north and south of the region. The area was under a Tornado Watch until Friday evening. A tornado was reported to have touched down in the north part of St. Louis Friday afternoon, resulting in significant damage and reports of fatalities. Another apparent tornado touched down in the Williamson County area, near or just south of Marion, Illinois, with the Williamson County EMA reporting at least three injuries as of early this morning. The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, says they will be sending out survey teams in the next few days to determine the path of the storm and the intensity.
Quieter weather is expected this weekend, before more rain chances move in late Sunday and continue into the middle of next week. Forecasters say there is a possibility of some more severe weather, especially on Tuesday.
As far as area rivers this morning, the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 18.05 feet, about a foot above flood stage. At Clay City the stage is 7.2 feet, below the 18-foot flood stage. At Carmi the stage is 21.73 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.74 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 8.56 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 2.55 feet.
Extended forecasts are indicating a cooldown moving into the area later next week and into the Memorial Day weekend. Below normal temperatures are expected according to the six-to-ten day and 8 to 14 day outlooks, running through May 30th, with near to a little above normal precipitation. The 30-day outlook for June was released Thursday, and favors above normal temperatures and near normal precip.
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