06/22/2026
On June 21, 2026 the northeastern part of our district sustained an unimaginable loss from a EF3 rated tornado. We want to extend our condolences to the families that lost loved ones, had family members injured, and all those that suffered losses as a result of the storms. At 5:15 pm the first call of service came into our department for a house collapse with 3 individuals trapped in rural Texico. Two minutes later we were requested for another house that was struck by the tornado in the same area. Members from the Jefferson Fire Protection District were dispatched to both calls with assistance from the Mt. Vernon Fire Department. During this response calls were being received for multiple lines down off of Windsong Road, Waltonville Fire Protection District was sent to that area to begin the investigation for storm damage there. Units arrived to the first call and found all occupants were out of the house. At the arrival of the second structure after a brief search an adult female was found deceased on the scene. At 5:50 911 began to receive calls for a house destroyed and a person missing in the Windsong Road area. Members of our department along with Woodlawn Fire Protection District, Irvington Fire Protection District, and Mt. Vernon Fire Department were sent to that location. This incident was in the same area where Waltonville Fire was at with major storm damage. There was significant tree and power line damage that hindered access to the residence. Members from all departments hiked their way with equipment to a remote area to find a home destroyed. As crews began to search for the missing individual by hand, neighbors, as well as multiple individuals with Charlie Heck's Towing arrived with heavy equipment and saws to begin to open the roadway after Tri-County Electric ensured the lines were secured and safe operations could begin. Personnel from all fire departments, members of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Mt. Mount Vernon Police Department - Illinois, and Litton Ambulance Service all began the slow process of searching for the missing resident. At one point during the search operations were halted when another tornado warning with rotation was spotted and reported heading towards the area. Once that warning was cleared crews were able to get back to work along with the use of the heavy machinery. Several members of the community showed up with utv's and made numerous trips moving personnel over half a mile to the scene. Unfortunately, after a long extensive search the resident was located and pronounced deceased at the scene. During that period of time members from our department and Webber Fire Department also responded to another report of an individual stuck inside a residence, this was found to not to be as reported. All fire units were cleared of all scenes and returned back to the station by 9:30 pm. During the calls for service, Wayne Fire Protection District #1 and City of Benton Fire Department both provided essential coverage for our district in case of additional calls.
We would like to Thank everyone who came to help in the smallest to the biggest fashion. The outpouring of help from neighboring departments and the community was overwhelming. We are proud to call Jefferson County Home and are Honored to Serve and work alongside our amazing citizens.
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