Marion mayor recalls 1982 tornado that tore through area, killing 10

MARION - With the city having already coped with a massive water-main break at Rend Lake earlier in May, Marion Mayor Anthony Rinella took time during Tuesday night's city council meeting to recall a more severe disaster.

"This was a tragic day in Marion 36 years ago," Rinella said, recalling the tornado that tore a 17-mile path from west of Carterville through the center of Marion. The tornado, measured at an F4 (out of 5), killed 10 people and caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses.

Rinella, a retired firefighter, recalled being a first responder on the scene and said he was out of his own damaged residence for six months.

City Information Techonology Director Terance Henry said he'd recently received home-movie footage of the 1982 tornado's aftermath from a former Marion resident, and as a way of commemorating the disaster's anniversary, he'd upload it to the city's YouTube channel.

The home movie, running around eight minutes, is also available on the city's website, cityofmarionil.gov.