Big County 103.1 listener Adam Rhodes submitted this photo of the tornado beginning to develop before hitting Cameron.
The unincorporated village of Cameron in Warren County has, by all accounts, been severely damaged after sustaining a radar-indicated direct hit from an extremely strong tornado that passed through Warren County Thursday evening.
The tornado touched down in Cameron around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, causing “significant” damage. The Illinois State Police says it downed numerous power lines and caused several gas leaks. Electricity and gas service to the town have been shut off as a precaution.
Illinois State Police closed all roads leading into Cameron last night.
There are currently no reports of significant injuries.
The agency said in a news release late Thursday that search and rescue operations would go through the night.
A temporary shelter has been set up at United High School near Monmouth.
This photo, by Lisa Hughes, shows the tornado over Monmouth, which later hit Cameron.
