Natl. Weather Service: At least two tornadoes caused dozens of miles of destruction

CHAMPAIGN – The National Weather Service says seven tornadoes caused major destruction on Wednesday.

The most powerful storm was in Effingham. Meteorologists say an EF3 tornado had peak winds of 145 miles per hour. It lasted 24 miles and destroyed dozens of buildings and caused two non-life threatening injuries. The tornado touched down in Beecher City and passed southeast through parts of Shumway, Effingham, and Teutopolis. It lifted back into the sky north of Island Grove after crossing into Jasper County.

• READ MORE: Effingham tornado flattens family-owned Corvette museum, downs trees, power lines

An EF2 tornado carved a nearly 14-mile path between Mattoon and Charleston. Its 116 mile per hour winds damaged trees, homes, and flipped a semi-truck, injuring one person.

• READ MORE: Coles County tornado leaves Charleston residents without power, damaging trees and homes

In Springfield, an E-F-1 tornado started in Mernard County and moved southeast into Springfield and then Mechanicsburg. It caused damage to trees, roofs and garages.

Less powerful tornadoes impacted Bethany, Blue Mound, Grove Township, and Pawnee.