Powerful Tornado Smashes Into Cameron, Illinois, Causing Severe Damage

Carolyn Williams
Published: July 16,2015

The town of Cameron, Illinois, sustained extensive damage when a dangerous tornado touched down in Warren County during severe thunderstorms Thursday night.

Damage in Cameron, Illinois, after a tornado slammed the town during severe thunderstorms on Thursday, July 16, 2015. (Photo Credit: Twitter/Kholby Martin)

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office told The Weather Channel there was severe damage in Cameron, and all sheriffs’ deputies were dispatched to the small community.
"Severe thunderstorms were predicted in the area, but this particular storm appeared to be in a sweet spot where the air was extremely unstable and there was a bit of extra spin in the atmosphere thanks to a weak warm front,” said weather.com senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen.
(FORECAST: Damaging Tornado Reported In Illinois; Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Four States
In response to the emerging situation, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner activated the State Emergency Operations Center.

WQAD- TV crews were unable to reach the parts of the town due to “extensive damage and downed power lines.” A Cameron resident told the station his home sustained damage, including blown out windows and a destroyed pool.
Residents returning to survey structural damage were turned away by police, KWQC-TV said.

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WQAD Jenna Morton @WQADJennaMorton

Traffic is being told to turn around even if their home is in the damaged area. @wqad

9:40 PM - 16 Jul 2015

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First responders are going door-to-door in Cameron checking for any injuries, storm chaser Kholby Martin told The Weather Channel.
This is a breaking news story; please check back with The Weather Channel for the latest.  
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