ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — Weekend storms knocked out power and damaged homes and businesses throughout the Metro East. St. Clair County was one of the hardest hit.
People in St. Libory did not expect to be cleaning up debris on their holiday weekend but chaotic storms changed their plans.
“It happened about 7:15 Friday evening, and then, it just got worse,” resident Paul Bergkoetter said. "It came and it kept coming. And it kept coming. And it was, best I could tell straight-line winds."
Strong winds wrapped in rain tore through their neighborhoods and others across St. Clair County.
“Tree came through the house,” resident Jim Gagen said. "This big old pecan tree, which is well over a hundred years old, came down once through the two windows in the dining room, and then I got damage on the roof. Rain yesterday started leaking, and I've called the insurance and everything."
St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons said trees have been uprooted snapped and even tossed onto houses all over the county
“We have a tree on the house. I'm being optimistic that it was a soft landing. I don't know that until I get it off. And I had to make room for it this morning to get a lift in here, to get up there to see what we've got,” Bergkoetter said.
Trees also toppled onto power lines and St. Libory residents have been without power since Friday.
“The whole town was without power and have been since about 7:00 on Friday,” St. Libory Mayor Rob Stroder said
And now, the streets are buzzing with generators.
“My son brought over a generator. So at least I've got the freezer and the icebox,” Gagen said.
As the clean-up continues St. Clair County wants people to work safely especially around downed power lines.
“You may walk out there and think that it's not a charged line, but the best thing to do is if you see a power line down, just stay away from it and let the experts do that,” Simmons said.
And while this may not have been in their plans for the weekend, St. Libory neighbors found a way to spend time together.
“Thankfully, in a small town, the way it is, neighbors help. Everybody kind of comes together and works pretty good,” Stroder said.
At the time this story was written, there wasn’t a good estimate of when power would be restored across St. Clair County.
St. Libory residents can bring their debris to Wenneman Park, and if they’re unable to haul it there, the mayor asks people to get it out to the curb where St. Clair County responders can pick it up on Wednesday.
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