Tornadoes confirmed in Clinton County following Monday night’s storms

A Germantown Elementary school bus with shattered windows sits beside an overturned clothing donation bin and a downed stop sign along Church and Westfall streets in Germantown after severe storms Monday evening caused widespread damage and power outages across Clinton County.    The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down near Trenton and another one in Germantown during Monday evening’s severe storms in Clinton County.
    Severe storms swept through Clinton County on Monday morning and again in the evening, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds, and large hail, along with reports of possible tornadic activity.
    The day began with intensifying weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hail up to golf-ball size.
    In New Baden, pea-size hail was reported Monday morning, and in Bartelso, there were reports of golf-ball size hail, covering the ground and resembling snow in some areas.
    At Mickelson’s Auto Body in Bartelso, large hail shattered vehicle windows. A hail storm struck the area Monday morning, covering the ground in some parts, resembling snow. This was located in Bartelso, where they received a continuous downpour of up to 1-inch hail. At other areas near Bartelso, hail caused significant damage to roofs and siding.
    Conditions were set for severe weather in the evening, causing many schools to cancel after-school events and activities ahead of the storm.
    After 7:30 p.m., another round of storms moved through the county, producing intense lightening, heavy rain and strong winds, and the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Clinton County.
    Widespread damage was reported in several towns, including Trenton, Damiansville, Germantown and Beckemeyer.
    Near Damiansville, a shed was damaged, with debris scattered across nearby fields.
    Along State Route 160 near Trenton, a tree fell onto a home, causing damage.
    In the Village of Beckemeyer, it was reported that damage remained mainly south of the village, where several buildings were destroyed, particularly along Highline Road towards Carlyle.
    Damage also was reported in Germantown, with downed trees and power lines. Mobile homes near Germantown Elementary School were destroyed by the storm, and the school itself sustained structural damage, along with the loss of a large tree at its entrance.Utility crews work to clear storm debris at Germantown Elementary School in the aftermath of severe storms that caused widespread damage and power outages in Clinton County on Monday evening. No injuries were reported in Monday night’s storms.
    Germantown Fire Chief Jeff Kampwerth said that preliminary assessments indicate that the path of damage was approximately 0.6 mile in length, and 39 buildings sustained moderate to significant damage as a result of the storm, along with numerous power lines and trees.
    “Emergency crews, along with local responders and public works, are actively conducting damage assessments and assisting with cleanup efforts,” said Kampwerth, adding that community members also played a vital role, coming together to support neighbors and aid in recovery operations.
    By Tuesday morning, volunteers and crews were actively clearing debris, particularly around Germantown Elementary and the residences near where the most impact occurred.
    Power outages also affected multiple towns, including Trenton, Germantown and Bartelso. Schools in Germantown and Bartelso were closed Tuesday due to power outages. Trenton Elementary remained open despite not having power.
    Several area businesses also shut down on Tuesday, including Dairy King and Freshway IGA in Trenton.
    Germantown Elementary School will also be closed on Wednesday, as they continue to assess all areas of the building in coordination with their architect.
Linemen are pictured working to replace the broken power poles throughout the county.    Emergency crews continue to assess the damage across the county, where twisted and uprooted trees were common sites.
    On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down near Mid-America Airport in St. Clair County around 8 p.m. on April 27, then headed east into Clinton County near Trenton. Maximum wind speeds were estimated to be 110 mph.
    A second tornado touched down in Germantown, moving east toward Carlyle, with EF-1 intensity and peak wind speeds also of 110 mph.
    According to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, despite significant damage in several areas, there have been no reports of major A shed located on Highline Road, towards Carlyle, was destroyed following Monday night's storms.injuries or fatalities.
    “The area in and around Germantown was hit particularly hard,” said Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous. “  Mobile homes destroyed, trees on top of homes, and many houses with limbs penetrating through roofs and walls, and power lines snapped all over town.”
    He said power outages remain an issue across the county, but lineman from across the region are making great progress.
    Residents are urged to remain cautious during cleanup, avoid damaged areas, and monitor official updates as recovery and cleanup efforts continue.

A mobile home in Germantown is destroyed from Monday night’s storms.    Clinton County Emergency Management Agency is working with the Red Cross, helping those displaced due to their homes being uninhabitable. Should you need assistance from the Red Cross, they can be reached at 1-800-RED-CROSS.