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GILLESPIE, IL ( KPLR ) -
Schools are closed today in Gillespie, Illinois, after strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. Twenty-five people are displaced because of damage to their homes. Nearly half the city is without power and debris is littering yards and streets. At least 20 buildings have suffered structural damage. Newly-elected mayor John Hicks has only been on the job two days and is having to wear two hats -- Mayor Hicks is also a volunteer firefighters.
Hicks says there is much damage in the town's downtown area and that the clean up efforts would definitely continue throughout the day.
Extensive damage was done to the high school and middle school forcing the district to cancel classes for Thursday and possibly Friday.
The field house for the football field was under construction before the storm. Now it's completely destroyed. A greenhouse that stands right next to the field house was not damaged.
The power, Hicks says, is coming back on in certain places. The Illinois Department of Transportation is also in Gillespie helping to reopen main roadways.
Around Gillespie people are beginning the clean up efforts. Power crews are on scene around town trying to restore power to the storm-damaged city.
Hicks says there is much damage in the town's downtown area and that the clean up efforts would definitely continue throughout the day.
Extensive damage was done to the high school and middle school forcing the district to cancel classes for Thursday and possibly Friday.
The field house for the football field was under construction before the storm. Now it's completely destroyed. A greenhouse that stands right next to the field house was not damaged.
The power, Hicks says, is coming back on in certain places. The Illinois Department of Transportation is also in Gillespie helping to reopen main roadways.
Around Gillespie people are beginning the clean up efforts. Power crews are on scene around town trying to restore power to the storm-damaged city.
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