Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
by Steve Dunford
Just in the last fifteen minutes, Southern Illinois was taken out of the marginal risk (level 1) of severe weather.
There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. With highs in the upper 70’s.
Tomorrow will be a picture perfect day with the high around 80 degrees.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.
by Steve Dunford
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been cancelled for all the counties north of the Route 13 corridor. Williamson, Saline, Gallatian and the southern seven counties still remain in the watch.
The Storm Perdiction Center still has everything in Southern Illinois south of I 64 in a slight risk of severe weather for the overnight hours, so your guard can’t be completely let down.
As far as the hurricane force winds, they went through the southern seven counties, as there have been some minor damage reports out of Union and Pulaski counties.
As of now, the severe threat for tomorrow has been downgraded from a slight (level 2) to a marginal (level 1).
Monday is going to be a picture perfect day. If you have the day off work, I hope you enjoy it, and remember the ones who paid the price for your freedom.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southern Illinois Southwest Indiana Western and south-central Kentucky Far southeast Missouri Western and middle Tennessee * Effective this Saturday afternoon from 515 PM until Midnight CDT. .
..THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION… * Primary threats include… Widespread damaging winds expected with scattered significant gusts to 80 mph likely Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible A few tornadoes possible
SUMMARY…A very fast-moving line of convection will continue to pose a risk for widespread wind damage as it races east-southeastward through the evening hours. A few tornadoes and hail will also be possible with the fast-moving squall line and/or other line-preceding storms. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles north and south of a line from 30 miles west northwest of Cape Girardeau MO to 55 miles east southeast of Bowling Green KY. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
Please monitor the Facebook page for additional warnings. I just want to share this on a post.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 453 PM CDT
JEFFERSON-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-UNION-JOHNSON- ALEXANDER-PULASKI-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-PERRY MO- BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD- SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF MOUNT VERNON, PINCKNEYVILLE, WEST FRANKFORT, CARBONDALE, MURPHYSBORO, HERRIN, JONESBORO, VIENNA, CAIRO, MOUND CITY, HICKMAN, CLINTON, BARDWELL, WICKLIFFE, PERRYVILLE, MARBLE HILL, CAPE GIRARDEAU, JACKSON, PIEDMONT, VAN BUREN, DONIPHAN, POPLAR BLUFF, BLOOMFIELD, SIKESTON, CHARLESTON, AND NEW MADRID 453 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017
….Damaging winds of 70 to 100 mph possible with line of storms moving across Eastern and Southern Missouri… A line of storms, capable of producing widespread and destructive winds, are moving east, southeast between 45 and 50 mph over parts of Eastern and Southern Missouri. These storms will likely cause widespread tree damage, damage to some homes, and numerous power outages.
Persons who are considering travel on Interstate 55 and 57 in Southeast Missouri, as well as Highway 60, are urged to delay travel from now until after 7 pm CDT. These storms will likely move near Van Buren and Piedmont Missouri around 5 pm CDT…Ava Illinois, Cape Girardeau and Dexter Missouri around 6 pm…Creal Springs and Vienna Illinois, onward to New Madrid Missouri around 7 pm CDT. These arrival times may vary with the forward speed of the line of thunderstorms. If you outside, be prepared to look for sturdy shelter. These are particularly dangerous storms.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southern Illinois Southern Indiana Western and Central Kentucky Southeast Missouri Northern Tennessee * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 135 PM until 900 PM CDT.
* Primary threats include… Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 80 mph possible Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY…Scattered thunderstorms are forming across the watch area this afternoon, while other and more intense storms move in from Missouri. Large hail and damaging winds are possible with the biggest storms. The risk of widespread damaging winds will develop later today over parts of the area. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles north and south of a line from 45 miles west of Cape Girardeau MO to 15 miles north of London KY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
There is a pretty strong line of storms that is ahead of the main system, that should possibly be in the area about 3 p.m. The main system is now south of Kansas City and the Joplin area.
The chance of watch issuance is 95 percent. Whether it will be a severe thunderstorm or tornado is yet to be determined. In my opinion, I look for a Tornado Watch to be issued.
by Steve Dunford
This has been forecasted for several days now. The SPC still has us in a moderate risk for severe weather. The tornado threat has lessened, but if you can see in the graphic it is still there. The main concern is damaging straight line thunderstorm winds.
The Storm Prediction center used the term hurricane force winds in a product that came out this morning. Hurricane force winds are 74 mph plus.
Please do not take this as overkill, or trying to cry wolf. This could be a system that was similar to May 8, 2009 or July 2, 1980 that caused widespread damage across the region.
This system needs to be taken very seriously and will be a fast moving system. Timing should be anytime after 4:00 p.m. I will be keeping an eye on any storm today on radar that appears to even be a rain shower. The atmosphere is so juiced any cell could turn severe quickly.
I would keep a close eye to the sky especially if you are having an outdoor event. Be prepared to take action if a county is under a warning two counties to the west or the east.
I would keep your cell phone charged, and take other precautions to have a long term power outage.
There will be several updates throughout the day on the website’s Facebook page. I will be continue to monitor the situation, and will bring updates whenever warranted. Below is the Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paduach, KY.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Latest forecast trends indicate that an intense line of severe thunderstorms will move into the northwest part of the outlook area, namely southwest Illinois and Southeast Missouri, between 5 pm and 7pm today. This line of storms will likely produce widespread wind gusts in excess of 80 mph.
The damaging winds could last up to an hour. Depending on the intensity and duration of this line of severe storms, the line could completely move through the outlook area before midnight. In addition to the damaging wind potential, isolated severe storms may develop ahead of this line later today. These storms would have the potential for large hail, damaging winds, as well as a tornado.
A moderate risk remains in place for most of the outlook area, except parts of Southwest Indiana and the Pennyrile region of West Kentucky, which remain in an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms. At this time, the greatest risk for widespread severe thunderstorms is later this afternoon and this evening. A few storms may still be likely over parts of Southeast Missouri and West Kentucky during the morning hours. Every form of severe weather is possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Heavy rainfall and deadly lightning will also be storm hazards.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast Sunday, especially during the afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds and hail are the primary severe weather hazards, with locally heavy rain and deadly lightning also storm hazards. Thunderstorms are also forecast Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday through Friday.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation is expected today and tonight.
by Steve Dunford
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded all of Southern Illinois to a moderate risk (level 4) for severe weather tomorrow.
The wind advisory for area lakes is still in effect today. Models are showing that we will be under the gun here in Franklin County from about 5:00 tomorrow until about 2:00 A.M. on Sunday morning.
Highs will reach into the upper 80’s tomorrow with a lot of humidity. Ahead of a couple waves of storms that is projected to come through between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, and pop up storm that would form can quickly become severe. The SPC said these storms could be explosive.
This is what has my concern, and prompted the moderate risk. You can see in the graphic that most of Missouri and Southern Illinois is n the 45% range with hash marks.
This means there is a 45% chance within a 25 mile area that severe weather could occur. The definition of severe weather is straight line winds over 58mph, one inch hail, and tornadoes.
Dr Greg Forbes has his TORCON value unchanged at three. KFVS has the probability of tornadoes in their coverage area at 4 on a scale to 10. For large hail and damaging winds it is a 6.
The Lake Wind advisory is still in effect. Memorial day weekend is a time for outdoor activities. Below is some outdoor safety tips in severe weather. I posted them yesterday.
I will do my best to keep you informed of this upcoming weather event.
Press Release from the US Army Corps of Engineers – Rend Lake Office
BENTON, IL— Before you head out for a day on or near the water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) encourages you to make sure you have life jackets for everyone and that you wear them.
South Sandusky Beach on Rend Lake illinoiscampers.com image
In the last 10 years, 88 percent of all USACE public water-related fatalities were men and 68 percent were between the ages of 20 and 60, according to data compiled by the USACE National Operations Center for Water Safety. The center also reports that 84 percent of all public water-related fatalities involved people not wearing life jackets and found that the greatest number of water-related fatalities involved people swimming in areas not designated for swimming. In addition, 27 percent of boating fatalities involved people falling overboard.
Several people who drown never intended to be in the water; they unexpectedly fell from a boat or dock into the water. When this happens, a person will reflexively gasp and can inhale up to one liter of water and drown in less than a minute.
Even a strong swimmer can drown from a fall into cold water because it causes an involuntary gasp (or torso) reflex. A life jacket can help save your life by allowing time for rescue. Some researchers believe cold water is anything lower than normal body temperature of 98.6°F.
Others get into trouble swimming out to retrieve a boat that floated away, or swimming in association with a boat. Swimming in natural waters is not the same as swimming in a pool. Even strong swimmers can get into trouble and be gone within seconds. It takes an average of 60 seconds for an adult to drown and just 20 seconds for a child to drown. Swimming ability also decreases with age.
Swim at a designated swim beach. These areas have been inspected to provide a safe swimming environment. At all USACE beaches you swim at your own risk so adults please watch your children, because most people drowned within 10 feet of safety. Many shorelines at USACE lake and river projects have drop offs and you can be in water over your head instantly or pulled under by the current.
Always wear the right size and type of life jacket for the activity you are enjoying. Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns. Learn more at PleaseWearIt.com.
USACE is the nation’s largest federal provider of water-based outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 250 million visits per year. They provide a diverse range of outdoor activities close to home and to people of all ages. For more information on USACE recreation sites and activities, visit www.CorpsLakes.us.
by Steve Dunford
The Storm Prediction Center has downgraded the threat for severe thunderstorms from slight (level 2) to marginal (level 1) for today.
There is a line of storms approaching the area quickly. With these, there will be frequent lightning and some heavy downpours.
There will be widespread showers and thunderstorms in the region today, with embedded heavy downpours. Severe weather might come into play if the atmosphere becomes unstable in the late afternoon and early evening hours. This would be if it would clear off, and we would have peeks of the sun.
The SPC was very close to issuing a Tornado Watch for the overnight hours for Southern Illinois. They backed off after the line of storms that prompted some tornado warnings to be issued in Western and Central Missouri.
I will be monitoring updates from the SPC every few hours. If the situation changes, I will give another update.
Below is the hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Numerous thunderstorms are expected today and early tonight, and isolated thunderstorms may reach severe levels. The primary hazards will be damaging winds and large hail. Locally heavy rain will accompany some storms, with the possibility of flooding in a few locations.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday There is a small chance of thunderstorms Tuesday and Tuesday night. The primary concern with these storms is lightning.
