Emergency declared in Bloomington, Normal following widespread storm damage

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WAND) - More than 15,000 customers remain without power in McClean County after severe weather moved through Thursday afternoon.

At its peak, over 32,000 McLean County residents were without power, according to PowerOutage.com

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady signed an emergency declaration. The Town of Normal issued a local disaster emergency Friday morning.

Illinois State University sent out an emergency alert that the campus sustained damage and power outages Thursday. Power has since been restored to campus. Students are returning to campus this week as part of Welcome Week festivities.

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center said that its campus was closed to visitors and that all outpatient clinic appointments will be rescheduled due to storm damage. OSF added that outpatient appointments at its Center for Health, including the Cancer Center, will also be rescheduled.

The storms knocked down numerous trees.

Connect Transit posted on Facebook that all fixed route service was suspended on Thursday. But the transportation group said all services were operating Friday morning as of 8 a.m. There may be some route detours and delays due to ongoing storm cleanup.

Those with damage to homes or other structures can send their reports to ema@mcleancountyil.gov.