Volunteers Aid Loxa Presbyterian Church After Tornado Damage

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Volunteers Aid Loxa Presbyterian Church After Tornado Damage

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Charleston, Illinois, is in the recovery phase after an EF2 tornado, with peak winds of 116 mph, struck the area on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The tornado, which had a track length of 13.8 miles and a maximum width of 800 yards, caused significant damage, including widespread downed trees and power lines. Loxa Presbyterian Church was among the affected properties, with its grounds strewn with fallen trees and limbs.

More than a dozen volunteers responded to the church’s call for help, assisting with the extensive cleanup efforts. Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs acknowledged the tremendous community support and volunteerism in the wake of the disaster. The tornado formed four miles north of Mattoon and moved southeast, hitting Charleston around 7 p.m. local time. Although no fatalities or injuries were reported in Charleston, one person was injured when a semi-truck was flipped on Interstate 57.

The severe weather system that impacted the Midwest and Southeast on June 17, 2026, generated at least seven tornadoes, with a confirmed tornado also reported in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” designation for the Charleston tornado, a rare alert used for potentially strong and violent tornadoes. In addition to the Loxa Presbyterian Church, other structures in the area, such as Charleston Middle School, sustained damage, with parts of its gym roof being ripped off, leading to flooding inside the building. The Coles County Fairgrounds

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