May 22, 2025
Local News | Bureau County Republican


Local News

PHOTO: A clear view of the tornado that touched down in Ottawa

Ottawa firefighter Jason Ward captured a photo of the EF-1 tornado that moved through Ottawa on Aug. 10. The photo is taken from U.S. 6 looking west from near the Illinois Department of Transportation district office. The tornado struck the Floor to Ceiling business on Columbus Street and followed the Illinois and Michigan Canal path to the Fox River. Gilbert Sebenste, who surveyed the damage for the National Weather Service, said "this is the clearest picture I have ever seen of a derecho/QLCS tornado vortex, and I have seen three of them myself."