The capital city of Illinois and many surround communities have just been hit by massive severe weather. This storm included tornadoes and hail. Many areas of Springfield are blocked off at this time. Best Buy and several other businesses on that side of town have been damaged. My old neighborhood Westchester was severally hit. Many homes in that area have reported major damage. Chatham where I live now seems to be largely unaffected. Although I’ve not ventured outside to have a look at this point. National TV stations are reporting that this storm has caused damage in several other states. If you don’t have any reason to be out at this point. It would be wise to stay inside. Downed power lines have been reported all over the city of Springfield IL. New Berlin, Loami, Curran, Lincoln and Auburn are just some of the other cities where damage has been reported as well. It was reported that tornadoes touched down in the Loami, New Berlin and Curran areas. 911 services for the Springfield area have been reported to be down at this time. But emergency crews are out and dealing with the effects of this storm. Many parts of Springfield and other towns in the region are without power service at this time.
At this time Insight Communications internet and TV service is up. I’m not sure about SBC ( now AT&T ) internet services. WTAX and it’s sister radio stations were reporting on the storm as well.
New Berlin schools are reported to be closed for session tomorrow.
Other school closings have been announced.
Catholic schools will not be in session. And SCOPE will be closed as well.
The local chapter of The American Red Cross has opened up a center for those in need at Lanphier high school in Springfield, IL. This is located on the north end of Springfield.
Now why they would choose that school is beyond me. Do to the fact that most of the major damage was to areas of south / west Springfield and towns in that same region. Police and city officials are stating it is unsafe to drive at this time. They want residents to stay off the roads. So why make it to were people will have to drive across town to find help? Seems rather shortsighted to me.
Sangamon County, Illinois Information Desk
NOAA’s National Weather Service
Welcome to the Springfield Police Department
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
The Official Website of the City of Springfield, Illinois
City of Chatham, Illinois Information Resources for Chatham Residents and Visitors.
CWLP Home Page City Water, Light & Power
News Radio 1240 WTAX Springfield, IL
American Red Cross Illinois Capital Area Chapter
Lanphier High School District 186 Springfield, IL That site is down or can’t handle the traffic coming to it at this time.
Springfield, Illinois Tornado photos from the chase, narration by Dr. Bruce Lee
NOAA-National Weather Service, Central Illinois
The Quiet Rage – Tornado Hits Springfield IL
The Quiet Rage – Springfield IL Tornado Update
Keep updated with our Overnight Storm Blog SJ-R.COM – Breaking News
Mayor Davlin: Springfield storm damage is ‘just unreal’ SJ-R.COM – Breaking News
Violent storm rips through Springfield; one reported missing SJ-R.COM – Breaking News
AP Wire 03-13-2006 Tornadoes move across the Midwest, killing two and destroying homes
It was later stated by a local Red Cross official that Lanphier high school was chosen do to it still having power. Do to the fact that it receives power from the same grid as the hospitals. It is also closer than some other schools to those medical facilities.
Chicago Tribune Tornado reported in Springfield; power out
Chicago news, weather, traffic Tornado Hits Springfield, Central Illinois
Chron.com 3 Killed as Tornadoes Rip Across Midwest
Storms do heavy damage in Springfield Chicago Sun-Times
CNN.com – ‘The trailer came down right on top of her’ – Mar 13, 2006
Tornado outbreak continues – Yahoo! News
CNN.com – Ten dead in Midwest twisters – Mar 13, 2006
The Eleventh Hour Tornado Blogging Springfield Edition
Disarranging Mine Tornado sirens
Tornado strength shocks central states USATODAY.com – On Deadline Archives
NBC5.com – News – Violent Storms Strike Springfield Area
Blagojevich declares Sangamon County state disaster area SJ-R.COM – Breaking News
Forums » Midwest » Tornadoes & No Basement
Finally! I survived the tornado! Grace Uncensored
SJ-R.COM – Track of destruction
SJ-R.COM – Wind speeds in excess of 120 mph
SJ-R.COM – Storm silences sirens
SJ-R.COM – Moviegoers trapped by power lines
The 26th Man Storm stories
Flickr The Springfield Illinois Storms Pool
The Eleventh Hour Tornado Blogging The Next Day
UIS News Bureau UIS not damaged by tornado
PeoriaIllinoisan Springfield Tornado Pics
Photos from the storm that hit Springfield March 12, 2006 Lite Rock 99 WNNS
A Shareware Life Tornado Blogging
Holstein Grove Home: Springfield Storm Damage In the Millions
Disarranging Mine Tornado aftermath
A Shareware Life More Tornado Blogging
A Shareware Life Springfield Tornadoes
March 2006 Tornado Outbreak Sequence – Wikipedia
Springfield, Illinois Storm-Tornado March 2006 – jesse crouch’s log
flickr Photos from HAM guy
This article has been updated over the past few days. It includes links to other related reading material and resouces that weren’t here on the date the article was originally posted on. Many of the links were here when this was first posted online. But I have added new stuff as it becomes available.