Severe weather blog — May 16, 2025
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Severe weather is moving through Central Illinois, and with it comes a stream of updates and photos from viewers. Follow along below for updates as they come into WCIA's newsroom.
WCIA 3 Severe Weather Center
4:40 p.m.
This video of blowing dust was taken by Jordan Bertolino of De Land in Piatt County.
4:25 p.m.
A crash has been reported on Interstate 74 near St. Joseph amidst a dust storm. People are advised to avoid traveling at this time.
WCIA has reached out to the Illinois State Police to learn more details about the crash. We have not heard back yet.
4:15 p.m.
A wind gust of 69 miles per hour has been recorded at Willard Airport in Savoy.
Meanwhile, the tornado warnings issued for Effingham and Cumberland Counties have expired.
4:07 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the following counties: Jasper, Clay, and Effingham until 4:45 p.m.
4:06 p.m.
Tree limbs have snapped in Shelbyville as a result of the severe weather. Meteorologist Kevin Lighty reports from the scene in the SK Exteriors Stormtracker.
4:03 p.m.
The storm shelter at the Effingham Public Library is now open.
In addition, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the following counties: Macon, Piatt, Shelby and Moultrie until 4:45 p.m.
3:48 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for part of the following counties: Effingham, Jasper, Cumberland, and Clay until May 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
3:40 p.m.
The National Weather Service of Central Illinois is reporting that severe thunderstorms are crossing I-55 and heading east-northeast toward I-57. The NWS and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, reported hailstones ranging from ping pong ball- to golf ball-sized.
WCIA received the images above from viewers in Sangamon County, showing some of those ping pong ball-sized stones.
'Storms will continue to quickly move northeast toward I-57 through late afternoon,' the NWS added.
Hailstones that fall later in the day could grow larger than what fell in Springfield, and wind could gust at 60 to 70 miles per hour. Tornadoes are possible and a tornado watch has been issued for Vermilion County.
3:36 p.m.
More than 1,000 people are currently without power on the west side of Sangamon County.
According to Ameren's outage map, there are currently 1,142 without power just west of Loami.
3:33 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the following counties: Christian, Macon, Sangamon, and Shelby until 4:15 p.m.
3:25 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the following counties: De Witt, Sangamon, Logan, and Macon until 4:15 p.m.
3 p.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for almost all of the WCIA 3 Viewing area until 10:00 p.m.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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