A funnel cloud was spotted moving east across Millstadt Wednesday night.
Warning sirens sounded at about 6:40 p.m. as the funnel moved east on Douglas Road, according to St. Clair County Emergency Management. Several residents reported on social media that they didn’t hear sirens.
The National Weather Service in St. Louis received multiple reports from New Hanover, southwest of Millstadt in Monroe County, though as of 7 p.m. had not issued a tornado warning.
Doug Tilly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said he could not confirm if the funnel touched ground. Either way, he said, the storm was a weak one.
“Technically, a tornado is defined as a rotating column of air in contact with the ground, but it could be very weak with not a lot of wind usually associated with the storms that do a lot of damage,” Tilly said. “These types of storms that are very weak are difficult to deal with, to say the least, in terms of warnings.”
The NWS forecast as of 6:06 p.m. called for showers and scattered thunderstorms. Some could be severe.
Luke Probst, of Millstadt, captured a photo of the formation. He said he did not see the funnel touch ground and has not seen any damage near his home. Dwight Guy, also of Millstadt, captured the funnel on video as it appeared to touch ground.
A St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher could not confirm reports of any damage or storm-related emergencies. Millstadt Police could not be reached.
by Todd Eschman (2019, June 12) BND
