Emergency Declared After Widespread Storm Damage in McLean County

Authorities activate Emergency Operations Center to coordinate recovery efforts as thousands remain without power.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A dramatic, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive, turbulent sky with heavy, swirling clouds and intense backlighting, dwarfing a small, damaged factory building in the distance.The sweeping, sublime power of the storm system that struck McLean County serves as a sobering reminder of the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.Bloomington Today

Widespread storm damage has led McLean County authorities to declare a local emergency to speed up recovery efforts. The Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate the response of local governments, first responders, and utilities. No injuries have been reported, but thousands of customers still don't have power, and the Rivian plant in Normal has sustained significant damage.

Why it matters

The declaration of a local emergency allows officials to quickly mobilize resources and coordinate a comprehensive response to the storm damage, which has left many residents without power and disrupted critical infrastructure. The impact on the Rivian plant, a major employer in the region, also raises concerns about the economic implications of the storm.

The details

According to the release, the declaration was issued during a Saturday afternoon news conference that included Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady, Normal Mayor Chris Koos, and McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston. Power should be fully restored by noon on Sunday, the release said. County emergency management personnel have activated the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response of local governments, first responders, and utilities. Rivian, a major employer in the area, has reported damage to its plant in Normal, but no injuries have occurred.

  • The declaration was issued on Saturday afternoon.
  • Power is expected to be fully restored by noon on Sunday.
  • The storm damage occurred late Friday, leading to a surge of emergency calls.

The players

Dan Brady

The mayor of Bloomington.

Chris Koos

The mayor of Normal.

Elizabeth Johnston

The McLean County Board Chair.

Kelli Felker

A spokesperson for Rivian.

Normal Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the storm-related emergencies.

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What they’re saying

“I want to assure the community that resources and staff are currently being directed to the clean-up projects, and we are evaluating if we need to bring in additional resources to assist these efforts.”

— Dan Brady, Bloomington Mayor

“No one was injured at the Normal plant after a storm with tornado warnings caused damage at the plant. We are currently evaluating the extent of the damage.”

— Kelli Felker, Rivian Spokesperson

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This emergency declaration highlights the importance of coordinated disaster response efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, as well as the need to assess the long-term impacts on critical infrastructure and local businesses like the Rivian plant.