Drone video captures double-stack train cars toppled over after destructive winds tore through Illinois

MONMOUTH, IL. – Ferocious straight-line winds unleashed by severe storms were strong enough to derail multiple train cars in western Illinois this week, creating a dramatic scene more commonly associated with a tornado's aftermath.

Straight-line winds of hurricane strength from 80 to 100 mph blasted through Warren County, sending multiple double-stack train cars crashing down into a field in Ormonde, Illinois.

While the scene may appear to be the aftermath of a tornado at first glance, a National Weather Service storm survey found that widespread straight-line winds — not a tornado — were responsible for the derailment. 

According to the survey, the damaging winds swept across Warren County between 8:13 a.m. and 8:31 a.m. CDT, generating hurricane force gusts estimated between 80 and 100 mph.

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When the dangerous winds whipped through the area, Alec Marty, who lives just a mile away from where the derailment occurred, sensed the dangerous weather and retreated to his basement for shelter with his child, wife and dogs on Wednesday morning.

He first heard about the derailment through the local grapevine, but had no idea how close it was. As reports filtered in from around Ormonde, he quickly realized the wreck was just around the corner from his home.

After spotting the scene from his window, he headed about a mile down the road to see it firsthand, where derailed train cars lay scattered along the tracks in the wake of the severe storms.

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"I kind of looked outside and I saw trains just down at the next intersection from my house, and I saw it was derailed," Marty said. 

The derailment damaged tracks and blocked rail traffic in both directions, sending crews into action to clear the wreckage and make repairs, so trains could get moving again.

Once weather conditions cleared up, Marty launched his drone he uses for his company, and flew a mile to the scene, where he captured jaw-dropping drone footage of the scene as crews worked to remedy the clog.

His footage showed emergency contractor crews working through the night to remedy an issue that proved to be far more than just a train derailment. The track had also been significantly damaged, and needed full repair. 

Marty estimated it took just 17 hours for emergency crews to install temporary tracks and clear the way to allow trains to run through the western Illinois town again.

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The damaging straight-line winds that proved to pack enough punch to topple train cars wasn't the only severe weather that impacted Warren County on Wednesday, as the NWS Quad Cities determined three EF-1 tornadoes occurred in the area.

"Tornadoes in our area aren't new, but this was the first time I feared that it might be our turn," Marty said. 

While tornadoes occasionally strike the region, Marty said he's far more accustomed to dealing with damaging windstorms that have forced him to replace shingles and make other repairs over the years. This time, however, he escaped the severe weather without any damage to his property.

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Across the region's open farmland, relatively flat terrain and few natural barriers allow dangerous winds to sweep across the landscape.