Photos: Severe weather generates record-setting December tornado outbreak for Illinois
A series of tornadoes stirred up damage from the Plains to southeast Georgia over the weekend.
A swarm of tornadoes rocked central Illinois on Saturday, making it one of the most violent December days in the state's history.
There were 26 confirmed tornadoes in the state, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois. This breaks the previous December tornado record in Illinois of 21, which occurred on Dec. 18-19, 1957.
The tornadoes snapped trees and power lines, and shifted one house off its foundation in Macon County.
Around 10,000 customers were without power in the state on Saturday night. This number dropped to below 2,000 on Sunday.
Map showing all of the tornado warnings (red) and severe thunderstorm warnings (yellow) that were issued Saturday evening. Severe weather reports plotted as well. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/uQtr8nVhdN
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) December 2, 2018
In Taylorville, all non-residents were urged to avoid the town due to severe storm damage and closed roads, according to the Illinois State Police.
"All residents of Taylorvillle are urged to stay in their homes and off the streets as first responders respond to multiple calls," the state police said on Twitter.
A funnel cloud is spotted in Beardstown, Illinois, on Saturday. (Photo/Blake Naftel)
Multiple people were reportedly trapped due to storm damage in the town, according to ABC7 Chicago.
At least 100 buildings were destroyed across the town, according to The Herald & Review.
One of my friends in Taylorville, IL sent me this photo of the tornado damage. Several people there telling me the damage is "severe" @ksdknews pic.twitter.com/guWaZOizuz
— Jenn Sullivan (@JennSullivanTV) December 2, 2018
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner activated the State Emergency Operations Center, located in Springfield, in response to the severe storms.
"We activated the State Emergency Operations Center so that we could closely monitor the situation, keep in contact with local officials and quickly mobilize any state assets that may be needed," the governor said in a statement. "If state assistance is needed, we are well positioned to provide it quickly and efficiently."
3:30p CT, persistent funnel cloud with tornado warned storm, view from Highway 67, looking N/NE south of Beardstown, #Illinois @breakingweather @accuweather @NWSLincolnIL @ReedTimmerAccu pic.twitter.com/YFoOHob3zy
— Blake Naftel (@BlakeNaftel) December 1, 2018
A potent storm system that unleashed heavy snow from Nebraska to Minnesota on Saturday was also responsible for sparking the unusually violent start to December in Illinois.
"Tornadoes can happen at any month of the year across the United States; however, they are more common to occur across the Deep South during December," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said.
"There are an average of around 24 tornadoes in the United States in December with one per year occurring in Illinois," he added.
3:15pm update: one survey team is heading back to the office. The other is still investigating damage & talking to survivors. So far, they've found 7 #tornado tracks in three IL counties: Pike, Montgomery, and Macoupin. #ilwx
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) December 2, 2018
From 1950-2017, a total of 55 tornadoes have occurred in Illinois during December, according to the National Weather Service.
On Sunday, a radar confirmed tornado spun through the Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia. There were reports of four injured including two sailors and two fishermen.
Downed power lines, flipped vehicles and wind damage have also been reported.
We've received these pictures from near the Kings Bay area into the Action News Jax newsroom. #FirstAlertWX #GAwx #tornado pic.twitter.com/gK60zlWLN7
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) December 2, 2018
"The tornado was spawned from a thunderstorm that moved north of Jacksonville, Florida and into extreme southeastern Georgia. There were numerous other thunderstorms across northern Florida and southern Georgia throughout the afternoon," AccuWeather Meteorologist Michael Doll said.
According to Doll, there was another possible tornado in southern Georgia about an hour before the tornado hit Kings Bay Base.
The National Weather Service will survey the damage to determine the intensity of the tornado.
South of Taylorville #taylorville #tornado #prayers pic.twitter.com/kpFCq9KlSq
— Sarah Marley (@SSMarley15) December 2, 2018
Doing damage assessment today and came along this house that was hit hard by the VB tornado. This 4x4 punctured through the exterior wall and bed frame stopped it. Example of why you should listen to the meteorologists when they say go to the center part of your house. #arwx pic.twitter.com/AbQyZETu4c
— Crawford County Dept of Emergency Management (@CrawfordCoEM) December 3, 2018
Rows of powerlines down on top of houses in Taylorville, IL tornado. #cILwx pic.twitter.com/0F1IJInbwd
— Kevin Lighty (@KevinLighty) December 2, 2018
The tornado hit Country Classic Cars in Staunton, IL. Staunton Fire Chief says 3 buildings were damaged. One person was inside. Thankfully, no one was injured. There were a number of cars inside that were damaged, though. More at 10PM on @ksdknews pic.twitter.com/ENrFAKLlCt
— Rachel Menitoff (@RachelMenitoff) December 2, 2018
Power remains out in many sections of Taylorville, #Illinois Sunday evening as storm/tornado cleanup continues. @accuweather @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/PyuYdHsgdV
— Blake Naftel (@BlakeNaftel) December 2, 2018
Native Trails Winery near #Lewistown receives Tornado damage, along with homes in Fulton County from Saturday's storms.https://t.co/obvp0SMtwF #Tornadoes #IllinoisTornadoes pic.twitter.com/5kiAi7yHdg
— Ron Johnson (@RojoPix) December 2, 2018
Tornado beardstown #ilwx pic.twitter.com/bq97y2NLoI
— Devin Pitts (@DevinWxChase) December 1, 2018
Huge tornado spotted before hitting Taylorville on Saturday. Notice the satellite tornado to the right of the main funnel. Praying for everyone's safety tonight and hoping I was able to do my part. Thanks to Jeff Budd for taking this pic. pic.twitter.com/cIQoL6HnTq
— Thomas Patrick (@ThomasPatrickWx) December 2, 2018
House missing garage on County 9 Highway, across from Native Trails Winery, in Lewistown. #cilwx #ILWX @NWSLincolnIL pic.twitter.com/NFDUxlB40W
— Lauren Rainson (@LaurenRainson) December 2, 2018
Beardstown IL now, 325 PM CT @NWSLincolnIL pic.twitter.com/hsWuIUd0X9
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) December 1, 2018