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1974 Tornado Eyewitness Account
From: "Significant Tornadoes, 1680 - 1991."
Tom Grazulis, The Tornado Project

Around 1:30 PM, an F3 tornado moved northeast from about 15 miles west southwest of Decatur, Ill to just northwest of Decatur's city limits. An elderly man was killed in his mobile
home. There were 26 reported injuries along with 35 homes destroyed and another 120 damaged to the tune of $1.2 million.

Around 1:48 PM, an F3 tornado moved about from 12 miles south to seven miles southeast of Champaign-Urbana, Ill. A mobile home was lifted and destroyed, killing one man. Several farms were destroyed. No injuries were reported.

Around 1:55 PM, an F3 tornado moved northeast from about 16 miles southeast to 16 miles east of Champaign-Urbana, Ill. Homes and a park headquarters were destroyed. Three trucks were blown off Interstate-74 and part of a house was thrown into a lake. There were no deaths or injuries.

Around 3:25 PM, an F2 tornado moved northeast from about 5 miles north to 10 miles north of Danville, Il, hitting the west side of the town of Bismark. There were no deaths, but 12 people were injured. Total damage was estimated at $1.0 million.

Around 4:00 PM, an F2 tornado moved northeast and cut a two mile long path through the community of Paris, Ill, south of Danville. A barn and a mobile home were destroyed, along with two frame houses being lifted off their foundations. There were no deaths or injuries.

For more information contact Bob Chartuk at (516) 244-0166.