Severe Thunderstorm Causes Damage in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
A severe thunderstorm swept through Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, causing significant damage. McLean County was under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning during the storm, which included confirmed wind gusts of 67 mph (107.8 km/h). The National Weather Service indicated that some areas may have experienced even stronger winds. Emergency sirens were not activated as the storm did not meet the threshold of sustained winds of 70 mph (112.7 km/h) or greater. The storm featured microbursts, which are downdrafts embedded inside thunderstorms, making them difficult to detect on radar. Insurance companies have already received hundreds of claims for property damage, primarily from straight-line winds. State Farm and Country Financial have set up operations to assist affected residents. (Source: WGLT, published on August 15, 2026)