Aftermath of Tornadoes and Severe Storms That Hit Robinson, Salem

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Published on April 3 2023 9:44 am
Last Updated on April 3 2023 9:44 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Residents of Robinson and Salem are still regrouping after tornadoes and severe storms hit their communities Friday night.

A single long-track tornado began in eastern Jasper Conty just prior to 9pm Friday and moved northeastward with a continuous damage path through the towns of Robinson and Palestine. A survey team then concluded that the tornado maintained its intensity as it crossed the Wabash River into Sullivan County, Indiana. 

Some of the highest-rated damage (EF-3) on the Illinois side occurred near the junction of Illinois Route 1 and Crawford County Road 1050th Avenue, where a two-story masonry building collapsed. Another pocket of EF-3 damage was observed at the Robinson Municipal Airport, where multiple metal building systems collapsed. 

The peak wind was at an estimated 155MPH. The storm left a 28-mile long path almost four-tenths of a mile wide. 

Three people were killed in the Robinson storm...Rebecca Sue Bradbury, Donovan Douglas and Sue Chronic. Authorities are also reporting at least eight people injured and as many as 100 people displaced as a result of the storms.

According to Crawford County Board Chairman Bill Burke, the Robinson airport is being considered a total loss. 

Lincoln Trail College Coordinator of Marketing and Public Information Chris Forde said the storm destroyed the Crisp Center, located about a mile south of the LTC main campus. The Crisp Center was home to the LTC Telecom program. Forde said no one was in the building at the time.

In Salem, a Town Hall meeting has been called for 5pm Tuesday to try and match volunteers with those in need of assistance following Friday night's storm.

The City of Salem is asking individuals or groups who wish to volunteer to assist to meet at the Exhibit Building at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Salem Mayor Nic Farley said  they are also looking for those with equipment, such as end loaders and dump trucks, who want to assist. 

More than 40 homes were damaged and some were destroyed in Salem by the storms.

Tornadoes were also reported near Rantoul, near Rankin in Vermilion and Iroquois Counties, near Banner in Tazewell County, near Chapin in Morgan County, in Sherman in Sangamon County where a number of homes were damaged, near Riverton and Latham in Sangamon and Logan Counties, and near Morrisonville in Christian County.