STORM DAMAGE REPORTED ACROSS AREA INCLUDING TO B97.5 TRANSMITTER

PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — Strong straight-line winds and lightning from powerful storms Friday night caused widespread damage and power disruptions across Pike County Illinois and surrounding areas.

Emergency crews across the region spent much of the night responding to downed trees, power lines, and structural damage after the storms moved through with intense winds. Straight-line winds — which can produce damage similar to a tornado — are believed to be responsible for much of the destruction seen across rural areas.

Utility providers reported scattered outages throughout the Tri-States following the storms, with some areas experiencing extended power interruptions as crews worked to restore service.

In addition to wind damage, lightning strikes were also reported throughout the area. One of those strikes directly impacted the broadcast transmitter for B97.5 WBBA-FM, forcing the station to operate at reduced power.

As a result, the station’s signal is currently best received within roughly a 10-mile radius of Pittsfield while engineers work to assess the damage and restore full transmission capability.

Station officials say efforts are underway to return the transmitter to normal operation as quickly as possible.

The storm system also led to isolated fire incidents, including a vacant mobile home fire in Griggsville that investigators believe may be linked to storm-related electrical damage.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing across Pike County Illinois and nearby communities as residents continue to deal with debris and storm impacts.