Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Wabash Avenue III

Photo: Jerome, Illinois Tornado - Wabash Ave. Walk-In Humidor

The sheer force involved in breaking off two power poles, most likely simulaneously, and throwing them across a parking lot is impressive. The photograph above was taken in the parking lot of the Walk-In Humidor located on Wabash Avenue in Jerome, Illinois. Photograph was taken on the morning of March 13th, 2006. A half mile wide F2 tornado tracked though Jerome, and Springfield, Illinois. A second F2 tornado followed within minutes striking Springfield's south-east side. Amazingly, despite widespread damage to the city no one was killed.



Photo: Jerome, Illinois Tornado - Wabash - Ace Hardware Command Post

Ace Hardware's parking lot off Wabash Avenue in Jerome, Illinois became a disaster response command post for local authorities. A RV sized response headquarters was located there on the night of the storm, and remained there for several days. Illinois State Police, Springfield Police, Jerome Police, Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputies, and Leland Grove Police worked together in maintaining law & order, and traffic control.



Photo: Jerome, Illinois Tornado - Wabash - Arnold Monument I

Arnold Monument specializes in creating grave monuments. It's roof was damaged by the tornado which struck Jerome, Illinois. I asked an employee if any of the monument stones were damaged, and was told that some of the markers had been knocked over, but were undamaged.



Photo: Jerome, Illinois Tornado - Wabash - Arnold Monument II

This look inside Arnold Monument shows the effect of an F2 tornado upon wooden structures. The roof is damaged, and all the plate glass windows are destroyed. Employees were working to bring out, and organize the stones along the outside wall of the building.



Photo: Jerome, Illinois Tornado - Wabash - The Barrel Head

Much has been said about the loss of the Barrel Head's roof. I visited the location twice on the morning after an F2 tornado struck Jerome, Illinois. The Village of Jerome is a suburb of Springfield, Illinois. When I returned later that morning of March 13th, 2006, (approximately 10:30 A.M) several large moving trucks had arrived, and the contents of this local spot were being loaded for safe keeping. This was probably a very good idea considering how much alchohol is stored in an establishment such as the Barrel Head. The locally famous Lauterbach Giant's head was recovered from the Barrel Head! On a side note the Barrel Head is owned, and operated by the brother of Springfield's Mayor Tim Davelin.


Links To Other Jerome-Springfield Tornado Post In This Series:

Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Wabash Avenue III
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Wabash Avenue II
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Wabash Avenue I
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Wabash & Chatham
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - W. Jerome Ave
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Corbin & Jerome
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Corbin Street
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Reed Avenue
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Jerome Municipal Building
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Vernon Avenue
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Fillmore Street
Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado - Glenn Avenue
Lauterbach Tire & Auto's Headless Giant