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Last week a record number of tornadoes tore through the Midwest. Estimates from the National Storm Prediction Center indicate that 113 tornadoes touched down throughout the region breaking a 16-year record.
Illinois state officials confirmed that two tornadoes had made their way through the city of Springfield. At one point, all of Springfield and the surrounding area were without power.
After meeting with Illinois Emergency Management staff and surveying some of the impacted area, Gov. Rob Blagojevich declared Ford, Greene, Logan, Morgan, Randolph, Sangamon and Scott counties state disaster areas. While there were 10 fatalities throughout the Midwest (mostly in Missouri) no deaths were reported in Illinois. There was, however, one close call.
James Ford, an out-of-towner living in Springfield while on contract with the state agency, Central Management Systems (CMS), was in his 14th floor apartment when the storm began on Sunday evening.
When Ford noticed that the large window overlooking his balcony was bowing considerably from the pressure of the high winds, he opened the window and a tremendous vacuum created by the wind engulfed the room and pulled him outside. "It literally sucked me out of the apartment," he said.
Ford survived by grabbing the balcony railing pulling himself back into his apartment.
"The few seconds on that balcony was something else, let me tell you," Ford said.
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