EFFINGHAM, Ill. – A powerful EF-3 tornado tore through central Illinois on June 17, destroying homes and leaving a trail of devastation – but one homeowner captured the heart-pounding moment it ripped apart his house while he sheltered inside, emerging with only minor injuries thanks to what he called divine protection.
Trevor Jason Kreke was recording a video for a friend about the severe weather when the storm suddenly intensified. The footage, obtained by Storyful and shared widely, shows the terrifying sequence: fierce winds shaking the house, the lights flickering out, debris flying through the air, and walls and roof collapsing around him as he took cover.
"I felt terrified in the moment," Kreke told reporters. "God had his hand on me as I was in the middle of a tornado. Once I realized I was all right, and it was only material possessions that were destroyed, I just started thanking God."
The tornado, confirmed by the National Weather Service as an EF-3 with peak winds around 150 mph, stayed on the ground for about 32 minutes and carved a path estimated at 26 miles through northern Effingham County. It destroyed around 30 homes and heavily damaged dozens more, scattering vehicles and debris across fields.
Despite the widespread destruction, there were no fatalities reported from the storm. Several people suffered minor injuries, with at least two hospitalized after their home collapsed. Kreke himself walked away with scrapes, bruising, and a headache.
The dramatic video shows Kreke's stunned reaction afterward, surveying the rubble of what was once his home. "What in the world just happened?" he can be heard saying amid the wreckage.
The June 17 outbreak was part of a broader severe weather system hammering the Midwest. Illinois has shattered its annual tornado record this year, with more than 140 confirmed twisters midway through 2026, a grim milestone driven by unusually active spring and early summer patterns.
Local emergency crews and residents have mobilized for recovery, with power largely restored in the area by the weekend. The Effingham County Emergency Management Agency continues to assess damage and assist those displaced.
