Another complex of severe thunderstorms moved through the southern Illinois region late Saturday afternoon and evening, causing significant power outages and causing quite a bit of storm damage in the area, according to reports from the public and officials.
Power was knocked out in parts of Fairfield a little after 6 o’clock Saturday evening, with power out in some areas for at least an hour. Wayne-White Coop reported Saturday night they had about 11 percent of their customers, or just over 1000 customers, without power as of Saturday night. They reported about 20 percent of customers without power in Edwards County, amounting to just under 250 of their 1200 customers serviced. They reported most customers had power restored late Saturday night. Wind damage was reported in areas to the east in association with the complex of storms.
Most of the WFIW/WOKZ listening area was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Saturday afternoon and into the evening hours for the third straight day, with several warnings issued Saturday night. Temperatures jumped into the lower 90s Saturday afternoon prior to the arrival of the storms, along with high humidity, helping to fuel the storms. The weather resulted in the cancellation of Fairfield’s fireworks display and associated activities Saturday evening. West Salem has rescheduled their fireworks for tonight.
The area has another chance for thunderstorm activity today, with on and off chances for most of the coming week, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky.