Rising Road in Champaign Cleared of Downed Power Lines, Hail Damage In Tuscola

Champaign city officials reported Wednesday evening that Rising Road had been closed between Curtis and Windsor Roads, due to several power poles and power lines that were knocked down onto the roadway by a thunderstorm.

In a news release, city spokesperson Kris Koester says Ameren has been notified and had dispatched crews to the scene. Koester said they didn't know how long it would take to repair the damage.\

UPDATE:  A city press release at 11 a.m. stated repairs had been made to multiple power poles and lines that had been knocked down, and the road reopened late Thursday morning.

Other parts of East Central Illinois saw their share of damage from the storms that moved through the region Wednesday afternoon and well into the evening. 

There are numerous reports of large hail, sizes of 3 inches or more in Douglas County, including in Tuscola, Newman, and Comargo.  Hail also fell in the communities of Bement, Farmer City, Argenta, and Rossville.

The National Weather Service reports 'significant' to vehicles from 1.75 inch hail at Willard Airport, as well as possible damange to a B-17.  The hail fell there just after 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Thunderstorms packing hail, gusty winds and dangerous lightning have swept across central and southern Indiana. An Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman says lightning strikes Wednesday were blamed for three fires, including a two-alarm blaze that damaged an apartment complex.