Updated Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:26 p.m.
Residents across east central Illinois are assessing damages from Thursday night’s storms that tore buildings apart, downed trees and took out power for tens of thousands of people.
More than 100 feet of the roof of Mark Denman Elementary School in Danville is in the road and in Marcia Miller’s backyard. The warped metal roof took down power lines on Colfax Drive and caused severe damage to her neighbor’s house. Miller’s house and many of the others on the street sustained only minor roof damage, she said.
City workers came over Friday morning to tape off the area, Miller said, but no one else has come out to assess the damage. A downed power line is currently blocking her car in her driveway.
“I asked them who would be moving the metal off of the pole and who would be moving the power lines, and they said, ‘That’s not us,'” she said. “That should be the utility company, but we don’t know.”
In a press release, Danville announced city crews are prioritizing emergency response efforts throughout the community, However, debris removal where downed power lines are present cannot begin until utility crews have secured and removed those lines. Debris may be left behind while crews focus on eliminating immediate hazards but will eventually be removed.
The city is providing free curbside brush collection next week from Monday to Thursday. All limbs and brush must be no longer than 4 feet and of a size that can be “reasonably and safely handled.”
Additionally, residents can haul brush and debris to the city’s Yard Waste Facility at no charge from Monday to Thursday. The facility is open from 7:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The city’s regular solid waste collection services and existing yard waste program will continue to operate on their normal schedules and will not be impacted by the storm cleanup efforts.
For additional information or questions, contact the Public Works Office at 217-431-2288.
North of Danville in Hoopeston, the storms caused significant damage to the Nutrien Ag Solutions location. The building is collapsed in on itself and downed power lines bookend both sides of the building.
Updated Friday, June 12, 2026 at 10:40 a.m.
Because of a power outage, the city of Champaign’s City Hall building will be closed today. It is expected to reopen on Monday.
Officials search tornado-damaged areas after strong storms hit Illinois and Indiana
(AP) Authorities and residents are assessing damage and beginning cleanup efforts after tornadoes hit areas south of Chicago. Several hundred thousand customers in Illinois and Indiana are without power Friday and dozens of flights at Chicago airports have been canceled or delayed.
There were no reports of deaths or life-threatening injuries after Thursday’s severe weather. Tornado damage was reported in Merrillville and Hebron, Indiana, as well as in Streator, Illinois. Homes and other buildings were torn apart, and trees and power lines are down across the area. Emergency crews are inspecting damage and assisting displaced residents.
Severe weather earlier in the week caused one death in Des Moines, Iowa.
Springfield’s Animal Protective League seeking foster homes after extensive storm damage
(NPR Illinois) Springfield’s Animal Protective League spent Thursday assessing the damage to its campus on the north of the city. A severe storm, possibly a tornado, struck the shelter which is considered destroyed.
No animals were injured and many of the 155 dogs and cats were moved to temporary homes. However, the APL is seeking people to foster those pets. A form is available at the website.
“Opening your home, even temporarily, can make a tremendous difference as we work to rebuild and continue our lifesaving mission,” the APL said in a statement online.
Donations are also being accepted online and many businesses are raising money for the nonprofit.
Jeff Cunningham with the organization located north of the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Taintor Road said the damage was extensive.
“It will be sometime before we open. The shelter is a total loss. The clinic is to be assessed,” he said. “38 employees are out of work. But, no one is injured, and we can and will rebuild!”
Updated Friday, June 12, 2026 at 12:00 a.m.
Heavy storms caused major damage to at least two school buildings in Vermilion County last night.
Joel Bird is the Director of the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency. He said the damage is widespread.
“Danville has several homes with trees that have fallen near the garage or the home,” said Bird.
Mark Denman Elementary School in Danville lost its roof and that wasn’t all.
“Up in Hoopeston, there’s several spots where a tornado went through on the South side… some damage at the high school, east of town at the local bridge,” said Bird.
The Nutrien Plant also took a direct hit. Bird said as of late Thursday night, there are no reports of injuries or deaths.
The sounds of chainsaws will fill the air in many Champaign County communities on Friday.
Kandy Powell was at home around 7:30 Thursday night when a storm blew through east Urbana.
“But then the winds got really strong. And as you looked out the window you can see that the trees were kind of bowing down a little bit. And from there we heard a very large snap,” said Powell.
The large branch of one tree fell onto her driveway just missing the house. A branch from another tall, mature tree fell, blocking her street. Powell did not lose power, but thousands of people in Champaign-Urbana had a long wait to get the lights back on overnight.
Updated Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8:30 p.m.
There are multiple reports of damage after severe storms passed through Champaign and Vermilion Counties on Thursday night. The National Weather Service issued Tornado Warning for Champaign County at 7:28 p.m.
As of 8:42 p.m., Ameren reports more than 78,000 customers have lost power. Thousands of homes and businesses in the Springfield, Champaign-Urbana and Danville areas do not have electricity. To report a downed power line, call 800.755.5000.
Below are some pictures of storm damage. This story will be updated through the evening.
Large tree branch lying across driveway in Urbana after storms on June 11, 2026.
