If you live in Central Illinois, you can submit your spotter stories
to Spotter Journal. Please email
me your spotter data.
April 20, 2000: Today was the first
major outbreak of severe thunderstorms. A squall line formed around 9 a.m.
across West Central Illinois. Tornados were reported in Argenta and
near Bloomington. I went mobile around 9:30 a.m. My car battery ran
down just as the worst part of the storm was approaching. A tornado
warning was issued for Moultrie County. The clouds were getting
lower. It began to rain. My car still wouldn't start. I
radioed in to Dave, KF9NB, and Alan, KA9Z, for assistance. I got out
around 10:45 a.m. as the storms were exiting the area. I will remember
next time to shut my lights off when I am parked and watching storms.
May 12, 2000: Strong storms rolled through the
area today. Heavy rain occured in Sullivan. No funnel clouds here,
but several touch-downs across the state. The storms went through around
6:30 p.m.