A powerful storm swept through the region during the evening hours of April 2, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Among the hardest-hit areas was near Goreville, where strong winds and heavy rain destroyed and damaged homes, uprooted trees and displaced families now struggling to recover.
While restoring service near a damaged home in Goreville, Gabe Pecord of Southern Illinois Electrical Cooperative — working his 16th hour of the day — offered advice for those regularly facing severe weather.
“Always be prepared, make sure you’re getting in the basement, don’t take it too lightly for sure,” Pecord said. “These storms, they just spin up like this. We’ve been through Olive Branch all the way up to [Goreville].”
Residents are urged to stay informed and monitor weather updates in the coming days. The Weather Channel forecasts a series of thunderstorms moving through the area, with potentially hazardous conditions. According to the National Weather Service, parts of southern Illinois could receive more than 5 inches of rain through Sunday, increasing the risk of flash flooding and making travel dangerous.
Photos by Jaden Patterson, Annalise Gould, Amaris Shelley and Elizabeth Ellis / The Volunteer
