Monmouth faces massive cleanup after storms bring destructive winds

MONMOUTH, Ill. (KWQC) - People in Monmouth are facing a massive cleanup effort Thursday after severe thunderstorms ripped through the area Wednesday, bringing destructive winds of 70 to 80 mph.

Crews have been working day and night to restore power across the city. While many areas saw their electricity return by 11 a.m. Thursday, many people are still navigating without power.

“My sister’s on oxygen and we’re waiting for them to get it hooked back up so she can get back on oxygen,” Jeff Grell, a Monmouth resident, said. “And they said it’d be awhile.”

Workers on the ground said the entire city is estimated to have power restored no later than 11 p.m. Friday.

The impact of the storms is visible across the city. Properties are littered with debris, and several small businesses have taken a significant hit.

Damage includes tangled power lines, downed tree branches, uprooted trees and the side of a brick building on the ground.

Several roads remain blocked off with cones and caution tape to ensure safety during the cleanup.

Officials with the National Weather Service Quad Cities said a short-lived tornado started in Monmouth and traveled southeast through town for 1.3 miles.

Maximum winds were estimated at 100 mph.