A line of severe thunderstorms blew through Centralia, Central City, and Wamac starting shortly before 5:00 Saturday afternoon, causing a partial collapse of a downtown building and numerous downed tree limbs causing damage to at least two homes. Some streets were also blocked by down tree limbs and power lines.
The “Dreamality” Gym in the 100 block of South Poplar downtown had a portion of the roof caved in under the weight of the rain. Three people were temporarily trapped inside, but they were able to escape through a side door before first responders arrived.
The front of the Dremality building following the roof collapse. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Several trees fell into homes, including one at the intersection of South Perrine and Frazier where a large tree limb broke and fell into the rear of the house. No one was reported injured. Another tree fell into a home in the 600 block of East 15th.
Power lines were down all over town including high transmission lines brought down in the alley in the 1400 block of North Elm in Central City by a fallen tree.
Centralia City Firemen were called to downed power lines in the 700 block of East 10th, 600 block of South Locust, 800 block of West Fourth, 300 block of West McCord, 300 block of North Cherry, 400 block of South Brookside, and 800 block of East 14th.
City of Centralia Fire Department First Responders as well as Centralia Fire Protection District First Responders responded to the numerous calls during the storm with assistance from Centralia and Central City police officers and members of the Centralia ESDA unit.
Centralia recorded 1.82 inches of rain from the latest round of storms on Saturday for a three-day rain total of 3.18 inches of rain.
As of Sunday morning, Ameren reported 216 customers in the Centralia and Central City area still without power along with 23 on Raccoon Lake.
A severe thunderstorm was in effect for southern Marion County at the time the storm hit.
Downed power lines off the 1400 block of North Elm Street. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Damaged power lines as a result of a fallen tree in the 1400 block of South Elm in Central City. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Downed tree on Frazier Street hits a home. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
