A tornado touched down near Lebanon Tuesday night.
Around 8:30 p.m., the Lebanon Emerald Mound Fire Department posted that the tornado siren was sounding and warned residents to take proper precautions.
Chief Adam Mueller said that the storm was visible from the agency’s parking lot and that it stayed in a field about a half mile away from any buildings.
At 9:15 p.m., Mueller said the tornado did not cause any damage in the area. He said it appeared to be moving southeast, but wasn’t sure.
According to the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, there was a possibility of cold air funnels in the area. When these funnels touch down, they are considered tornadoes, but do not stay down or cause damage, the agency said.
The National Weather Service in St. Louis did not issue any tornado warnings or watches for the area. Earlier Tuesday evening, the office posted on Facebook that cold air funnels rarely touch the ground and are different than tornadoes, as they are not attached to a rotating wall cloud or severe thunderstorm.
by Hana Muslic (2019, July 16) Belleville News-Democrat
