A small but powerful thunderstorm tracked across an area southeast of Centralia Friday afternoon downing trees and power lines and hitting some areas with small hail.
The storm hit just before Swartz Orchard on Copple Road was going to hold their first annual Peach Fete. Owner Adam Smith says there was some damage to the peach crop.
“We had about five minutes of hail damage here today (Friday). Apparently, it didn’t rain in Centralia or Salem or just a bit east of here. We found a few hail-damaged peaches. Apparently very high wind. But we didn’t lose any trees. Overall, I think we will be okay. The apples look just fine. It doesn’t appear they suffered any hail damage.”
The storm knocked out power to about 120 Ameren Illinois customers as well as some Tri-County customers in the area east of Centralia. Powerlines were reported down at the Ullman and Zion Hill Road intersection and the tree, powerline, and pole were down in the Shaw and Gilliland Road area near Walnut Hill. A tree reportedly fell across the 500 block of Racetrack Road. Ameren reported all of their customers were restored power by midnight.
A large severe thunderstorm hovered over western and central Clinton County around nine Friday night. A flash flood warning was later issued due to the heavy rain in the area of the storm.
The Friday night and early Saturday morning rain dumped 51-hundredths of an inch on Centralia and 65-hundredths on Salem.
Some of those on hand enjoying the Peach Fete at Schwartz Orchard after the storms moved through Friday night. Photo by Pat Hodges.
