Just back from storm-damaged area

My Mom called me Saturday to tell me the news. Thunderstorms struck Friday through southern Illinois (Murphysboro, Carbondale, Herrin, Carterville and Marion). When I arrived later in the day, there were trees down everywhere and no electricity. They were severe enough to be called an "inland hurricane." Another media source called it a "wave of powerful storms."



Above is a tree in Mom's yard. This was minor compared to much of what I saw.



A few blocks away (corner of Rod Lane and Sunset Drive in Carbondale IL), this tree was uprooted and blocking the street.

The storm was not a tornado, rather what is called flat-line winds that were more than 100 miles per hour.

If you look carefully at the next photo, you can see that is a car beneath the tree that may never be driven again.



Most people couldn't cook, so they ate out. How did restaurants manage? See the generator below that was at the Steak and Shake near Marion IL.