Here’s the latest on the metro-east weather: Heavy storms moving into Randolph County

A tornado warning remains in effect for central Randolph County until 2:45 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, at 1:54 p.m. moving east at 30 miles per hour.

This dangerous storm will be near Chester, Illinois, around 2:05 p.m., the warning says. Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include Bremen, Steeleville and Percy.

Hazards are a tornado and golf ball-sized hail.

The warning advises taking the following precautionary actions, according to the National Weather Service:

• Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
• Avoid windows.
• If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

The National Weather Service’s St. Louis office has also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Monroe, north central Randolph, and southeastern St. Clair counties until 2:30 p.m.

At 2:03 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Red Bud, Illinois, moving east at 30 miles per hour, according to the warning.

Hazards include 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts that can damage roofs, siding and trees and quarter size hail that can cause damage to vehicles.

Locations impacted include Sparta, Red Bud, New Athens, Marissa, Baldwin, St. Libory, Prairie, Lenzburg, Hecker and Houston.

The warning advises moving to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 5 p.m. for south central and southwestern Illinois.

The NWS office previously issued a tornado warning for Monroe and northwestern Randolph counties until 1:45 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Olympian Village, Missouri, at 1:10 p.m. moving east at 30 miles per hour.

This story was originally published May 8, 2024 at 1:22 PM.