'I walked in, there's water everywhere': Severe weather storms leave damage in Maroa
Share this @internewscast.com

MAROA, Ill. (WCIA) — Early Tuesday morning around 3 a.m., the Maroa community was woken up by a severe thunderstorm.

“The thunder and lightning, I’ve never heard thunder like that in my entire life,” said Maroa Road Commissioner Jamie Shafer.

Isabel Shafer said normally storms don’t bother her, but this one was different.

“It was pretty, pretty loud. Probably the loudest thunderstorm I’ve ever heard,” Isabel said.

The WCIA weather team said downburst winds of at least 60 miles an hour were in the area.

“It was quite an ‘oh no’ moment,” Isabel expressed. “The wind was really strong and everything around felt intense. So, we got up quickly, headed to the basement, grabbed our dog, and stayed there for a bit.”

Jamie Zombro was out fighting a fire when he got the call that their $250,000 Maroa Township and Road District building roof was missing.

“I walked in, there’s water everywhere,” Zombro said. “And I can kind of see daylight coming through the ceiling outlet in the bay.”

But it didn’t end there. When he walked to the back, you could see solar farm panels destroyed and water bubbles in the ceiling.

“Yes, it’s upsetting. Like I mentioned, I’m still trying to process what occurred,” Zombro stated. “You wake up one day and obviously don’t expect this to happen.”

But the community is working together to get everything back to normal as soon as possible.

It seems the town has made significant progress. They’re clearing away the fallen trees and similar debris. You can see it happening over there. The neighbors are having theirs cleared, and they’re taking excellent care of us.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Roblox and Discord Face New Lawsuit Following Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Girl

A tragic lawsuit has been filed against Roblox and Discord, alleging their…

Storm Team 3 Forecast: Enjoy Sunny & Warm Weekend Before Showers Arrive Next Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Thursday dawned with some of the season’s coolest temperatures…

Chicago’s Tranquil Protests Shine a Spotlight on Border Patrol Chief Controversy

On Friday, protesters gathered peacefully outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

Local Veterans Commemorate Beirut Bombing Anniversary: Honoring the Fallen and Reflecting on History

In Kingsport, Tennessee, an event was recently held to commemorate the 42nd…

Discover Orlando’s Best-Kept Secrets: Top 10 Cheapest Gas Stations for Budget-Friendly Fueling

Anyone who owns a vehicle knows the frustration of gas prices surging…

Bristol, TN Awarded $48,000 Grant to Enhance Parks and Recreation Planning

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Bristol, Tennessee, is among 18 locales across the…

Trump Delays Federal Surge in San Francisco, Grants Additional Time to Mayor

A planned increase in federal enforcement in San Francisco has been temporarily…

Explore Universal Orlando’s Exciting New Multi-Day Ticket Options for 2026 Adventures!

Universal Orlando has unveiled an exciting new offering for 2026: multi-day tickets…

Asian Markets Surge as White House Confirms Upcoming Trump-Xi Meeting

The anticipation of a significant diplomatic encounter has injected positivity into Asian…

Top CBP Official Defies Court Order: Accused of Illegally Deploying Tear Gas

CHICAGO — Gregory Bovino, a Commander with the U.S. Border Patrol, is…

US Supersonic B-1 Bombers Make Strategic Flight Near Venezuelan Coast

WASHINGTON – In a display of military might, the U.S. sent two…

DeSantis Champions New Law Integrating Charter Schools into Public School Campuses: A Bold Step for Florida Education

During a recent visit to Sarasota, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that…