Dowell Tornado Too Close for Comfort; NWS Calls It an EF1

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The National Weather Service confirmed over the weekend that the tornado that hit Opdyke on Friday was an EF2, while a tornado that snaked across the sky between Elkville and Dowell was an EF1.

"Perry County was very lucky when it came to these storms," said local emergency services director David Searby.

The storms came on the heels of a report that Illinois is now ranked No. 4 in the nation in terms of tornado occurrences.

As sirens sounded patients at the Du Quoin dialysis center--housed in the former Du Quoin National Bank building at the corner of West Main and Chestnut Streets--were moved into the bank vault.

Tellers at current banking facilities say they went into their vaults as well.

Patients at Marshall Browning Hospital were moved away from windows into interior hallways.

Residents across the area went to their basements as large hail pounded the middle of Du Quoin.

The Dowell tornado could be seen snaking through he sky from points all over Du Quoin. Dozens of cell phone photos were taken and posted on Facebook.

"Preparing for severe weather is critical and there are two important steps that Perry County citizens can take. First, having a weather alert radio at home or work can provide you instant watch and warning notices regarding severe weather from the National Weather Service. The other step is to have a plan for home or work so that you will know what do when a warning is issued," said Searby.

The larger of the two tornadoes hit Opdyke, Ill. near Mount Vernon. The tornado began shortly before 1:30 p.m., five miles southeast of Mt. Vernon.

According to NWS, peak winds reached 130 mph with an average path width of 100 yards. The storm left one resident dead after her trailer was rolled and two injured.

Meanwhile, an EF1 tornado Friday over Dowell and Elkville was confirmed by NWS officials on Saturday. According to NWS, the EF1 began around 12:25 p.m., three and one half miles northwest of Desoto, along Truax Traer Road and went northeast to three and one half miles southeast of Du Quoin near the Jackson-Perry-Franklin County lines.

Dozens of local residents stood outside to watch it, believing they were in no immediate danger.

The EF1 had winds of 90 mph and an average path width of 125 yards. The tornado traveled for seven and one half miles, with indications of periodically skipping the path.

Dozens of small and medium sized trees were uprooted and snapped. One barn was destroyed and a few homes had minor damage with this storm.

No injuries or deaths were reported with the EF1.

EOC was activated and the Du Quoin's emergency warning system sirens were activated.

ESDA Coordinator Chuck Genesio had a visual on the tornado that was in northern Jackson County and extreme southeastern Perry County.

There were two separate tornado warnings issued for the county.

No reports of damage or injuries in Perry County.

There was heavy flooding in Du Quoin streets.

Du Quoin ESDA personnel assisted in providing initial damage assessment in the northern area of Jackson County.