Charleston and Effingham Continue to Assess Tornado Damage

(Undated) — While Crawford County may have been spared the worst of last night’s weather, other parts of the state did not fare as well. The city of Charleston declared a state of emergency after a confirmed tornado rolled through town at about 6:40 p.m., knocking down trees and power lines and blocking roadways. Authorities say the extent of the damage is still unclear. To the south in Effingham County, emergency officials said a tornado ripped through homes and farms for twelve to fifteen miles, causing several injuries, none of them life-threatening. Thousands in the region have been left without power. Early this morning, Effingham County Board Chair, Josh Douthit, announced a disaster declaration for the county. He said the declaration frees up and expedites the allocation of resources to parts of the county impacted by the tornado.