Mattoon, Paxton cleaning up damage left by overnight storms

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — People are still picking up after storms rolled through Central Illinois overnight.

Mattoon was one of the areas impacted the most in Central Illinois. There were multiple downed branches and limbs, with reports of one falling on a car. There were also downed power lines that left about 3,500 people in and outside of Coles County without power.

Power has been completely restored in the county, with no outages being reported on Ameren’s map .

In Paxton, the Ford County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that branches and limbs were downed there as well. One entire tree fell at Clara Patterson Elementary School and a large limb fell on a car with someone inside. They are said to be unharmed.

The Paxton Streets Department is clearing streets of tree limbs throughout town, with the largest reported as eight inches. At least three fallen limbs blocked entire roads.

There is also flooding at the Ford County Courthouse.

Also in Ford County, the Gibson City Pool was closed for all of the morning and part of the early afternoon due to the weather. The pool opened at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Despite all of this damage, the stormy weather may not be finished in Central Illinois, with 70 mph wind possible. This could trigger outdoor warning sirens in Ford, Champaign, Vermilion, DeWitt, Logan, Menard, Christian and Coles Counties, which signal more than just tornadoes on the ground .

WCIA’s weather team and reporters will continue to provide updates on the weather as it develops throughout the day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.