The end of June through July 1980, found most of the country, including Southern Illinois in the grip of a massive heat wave that brought about drought conditions, searing inescapable heat and periodic high winds and storms.

In Southern Illinois, a damaging windstorm on Sunday, June 29^th was followed, only a few days later, on Wednesday, July 2^nd, by another damaging windstorm, which was reported to be, several times the intensity of the first, causing major damage throughout Southern Illinois. Continue reading →