Tornado Confirmed In Manhattan: Officials

MANHATTAN, IL — The National Weather Service on Sunday reported that a tornado briefly touched down in Manhattan during Saturday morning's round of storms that swept through parts of Will County.

The NWS used a damage survey to determine that an EF-0 tornado hit the ground at approximately 6:05 a.m. Saturday and was on the ground for about 1 minute, accord to NWS.

The tornado, with estimated peak winds of 75 mph, landed just north of the intersection of U.S. Route 52 and Baker Road. It continued southward along U.S. Route 52 for approximately 0.7 miles, with a path width of 150 yards, and appeared to have ended just north of White Feather Drive, NWS reported.

The Manhattan Fire Protection District confirmed it had three calls for service Saturday morning, including for downed lines, tree damage and minor damage to the roof at Round Barn Farm, according to MFPD Public Information Officer Jackie O’Hara.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the tornado, O'Hara said.

The tornado in Manhattan was one of three confirmed Saturday in Will County, NWS said.

The first tornado struck at approximately 5:40 a.m. in Aurora on the northwest side of White Eagle Golf Club. That tornado continued on the ground southeastward into Naperville before lifting at approximately 5:46 a.m. in the area of West 119th Street and Book Road, NWS reported.

That tornado caused damage to golf carts, snapped trees, damaged a roof at a shopping plaza, and tossed bleachers and fences at Neuqua High School, according to NWS. Peak winds were reported to be around 85 mph.

Then, at around 5:52 a.m., the second tornado with peak winds of approximately 70 mph was confirmed to touch down along Pinnacle Drive north of Renwick Road in Romeoville, NWS said. That tornado sporadically lifted and touched down repeatedly for approximately 4.1 miles, uprooting some tress in its path, and heading through Crest Hill before finally lifting four minutes later on the far north side of Joliet.

Outdoor warning sirens were activated twice Saturday morning in Manhattan, according to Emergency Services of Manhattan Chief Terry Doyle. However, people do not always hear the outdoor sirens, and so it is a good idea to have additional warning tools available, Doyle said.

O'Hara suggested that people should purchase weather radios to stay on top on severe weather alerts in the area. It is also recommended that people have a plan in advance so they're prepared in the event of a tornado, which often only leaves residents with minutes to spare before a tornado hits the ground.

Related:

• Tornado Confirmed In Naperville, More Storms Could Hit Chicago Area
• Tornado Confirmed In Joliet, Crest Hill