July 15 storm spawned 3 local tornadoes
By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post
Storms that passed through the area July 15 spawned at least three tornadoes in northern Peoria and eastern Knox counties. No injuries were reported.
The longest-lasting tornado touched down about 8:15 p.m. near Monica, where it damaged a couple of roofs and trees, according to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln.
Several large trees were damaged as the tornado progressed about 4¼ miles east-southeast before it dissipated about 8:19 p.m. just south of Princeville. Peak windspeed was estimated at 80 mph.
The Weather Service used various metrics, including damage, in the days following the storm to determine whether a tornado struck. The Monica-Princeville tornado was estimated as EF-0, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
A stronger tornado was reported west of Elmore. With peak winds of 105 mph, the tornado touched down about 8:20 p.m. west of Illinois Route 180 and moved southeast for one mile.
The tornado caused significant tree damage along Route 180 and in a field to the east, the Weather Service reported. Many of the trees were blocking the road but were removed before the Weather Service investigated. The tornado lifted about 8:21 p.m. just south of Knox Road 1660 North.
As that EF-1 tornado lifted, another touched down near Legion Hall and Mendenhall roads south of Princeville. It moved southeast for almost 2½ miles and caused significant tree damage on five properties, the Weather Service reported. One homestead lost 40 trees.
The tornado, which had peak winds of 105 mph, lifted about 8:23 p.m. in a field near Feucht and Salem School roads west of Dunlap. En route, it toppled a tree onto power lines along Evans Mill Road.
A pair of tornadoes also was reported between 8 and 8:10 p.m. in Kewanee – one on the north side of the city, one on the south side. Extensive tree damage was reported, as was varying damage to building roofs, according to the Weather Service office in the Quad Cities.
