Central Illinois has less snow than the north but a record of strong wind and long power cuts, so the main risks are wind damage and outages. Know where your release handle is, check the door and track after every storm, and test the opener's reversing feature each month.
Wind is the bigger risk
The National Weather Service in Lincoln logged gusts of 59 miles per hour at the Peoria airport, 64 at the Bloomington airport and 61 at the Decatur airport on August 10, 2020, with 58 in west Springfield. Large limbs and power lines came down across the area.
Wikipedia's tables of NOAA 1991-2020 normals give about 26.2 inches of snow a year in Peoria and 21.8 in Springfield, well under the Rockford figure of 37.1, so wind and outages matter more than snow load.
The June 2023 storm in Springfield
NPR Illinois reports that the National Weather Service classed the storm of June 29, 2023 as a derecho. Capital Airport recorded a 61 mile per hour gust, 24,000 City Water, Light and Power customers were without electricity by early the next morning, and there were more than 100 spots with lines on the ground.
During a long outage the opener cannot lift the door. Pull the red release handle, and stay clear of a door that feels heavy or sits crooked.
Housing in four central cities
| City | Median year built | Single-family detached | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | 1967 | 65.5 percent | Older and newer garages side by side |
| Springfield | 1972 | 64.9 percent | About 3 percent mobile homes |
| Bloomington | 1982 | 55 percent | More newer homes and townhomes |
| Decatur | 1960 | 73.8 percent | Mostly detached houses |
Census Bureau, ACS 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates.
After a storm: a short checklist
- Look at the door from outside for dents, bent sections and gaps.
- Look inside at the track, rollers and hinges.
- Disconnect the opener with the release handle before you test the door.
- Lift the door a little by hand. It should move smoothly and stay where you leave it.
- Photograph any damage, then call for service.
A broken spring, a frayed cable or a door that is off track is dangerous. Keep clear and call a technician for spring repair or garage door repair.
Opener age and monthly checks
Openers made on or after January 1, 1993 must meet the federal reversing standard. A unit in an older home may pre-date it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the reversing feature should be tested monthly. See opener repair.
Rules and contracts
The Illinois Attorney General says general contractors are not required by state law to have a license, but municipalities may require permits or have local rules. Check with your city before you order a new door, and read your HOA documents if you have one.
The Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires a written contract for repair or remodeling work costing more than one thousand dollars, signed by both sides. Get more than one written estimate.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington and Decatur. Call or send your details with a few photos of the door and the opener label.
Questions people ask
What is the biggest risk to garage doors in central Illinois?
Wind and power outages. The Lincoln office of the National Weather Service logged gusts of 58 to 64 miles per hour in the four cities on August 10, 2020.
What should I do if the power is out?
Pull the red release handle, lift the door by hand only if it moves easily, and call for service if it feels heavy or crooked.
How often should I test the reversing feature?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says monthly. Follow your manual and stop using the opener if the door does not reverse.
Do I need a permit for a new garage door?
Rules vary by city and by HOA. Check with your city building department and your HOA documents before you order.
More guides
Sources
- National Weather Service Lincoln: Derecho of August 10, 2020 (storm reports for Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington and Decatur)
- NPR Illinois: Derecho leaves area with damage, power outages (Springfield, June 29, 2023)
- Wikipedia: Peoria, Illinois (climate table with NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
- Wikipedia: Springfield, Illinois (climate table with NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
- Wikipedia: Rockford, Illinois (climate table with NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Final rules for automatic garage door openers (reversing feature tested monthly)
- eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1211, Safety standard for automatic residential garage door operators (effective date)
- Illinois Attorney General: Warning about storm-related repair scams (state license rule, permits, written contracts, cancellation)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2020-2024 5-year housing tables (year built, units in structure): Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, Decatur