2014-10-13 REPORTS: IL/MO/KY/AR/TN/MS/AL/IN

[Dan Robinson]

I observed a tornado exactly 1.1 miles from home today in my town of New Baden, Illinois (just east of St. Louis) at approximately 1:35PM CDT today, viewed from I-64 at the New Baden exit. Rapidly rotating wall cloud with rapid cloud motion, intermittent rope funnel. The tornado crossed Highway 161 at Ruth School Road at the west end of town with minor tree damage noted. Trash can islands at the new Casey's General Store were moved several feet westward. The tornado then impacted barns at a farm on Ruth School Road north of I-64/161 interchange. A pole barn was completely collapsed, with significant roof damage to an adjacent barn. Sheet metal from the barns was wrapped around tree branches at the residence. A flattened area of corn was just north of the damaged barns. No injuries. No other damage was found north or south of these locations.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9MWv7ifIg



Larger photo: http://stormhighway.com/blog2014/p-oct1314a.php

 

[John goelz]

I was not planning on chasing today. I was in downtown Belleville when sirens sounded around 1330. Quick check of the radar revealed strong circulation just 4NM away. Headed off to try and intercept. Roads were flooded and it was raining pretty good so I couldn't see anything. I made my way out to Green Mount road and tried to see anything, nothing. Decided with the QLCS nature of the storm and the storm speed, i didn't have much of a shot so I decided to let it go. Headed south on Green Mount Rd then west on 15 towards my house. At this time I noticed a heavy stream of emergency vehicles heading in the opposite direction, and I got a report of an alarm sounding near my parent's house. Immediately my heart sank, there was only one little area of town that they could be going and it was my parent's subdivision. I immediately turned around in the median and blasted back towards their house. The western most street in the neighborhood had taken the brunt of the storm with roof damage, trees snapped, and patio furniture strewn about. Luckily my parent's house was almost exactly 100 yards east of the damage path, with only a few leaves plastered to the east facing garage door.

Looks like the most severe damage was done to large trees and roofs which had up to 5 sheets of plywood torn off in that area, and more significant damage to the north in an older subdivision.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I was busy on the phone with my parents who were at work, and Chris while this was going on. Its the closest call my family has had, and it can take the breath out of you when the reality of the storm hits so close to home.