At least two dead in Ottawa and Perryville tornadoes – dramatic pictures

Reporter N’Jema McIntyre tells WNIJ the southern part of the city was the most damaged, and there were reports of a gas smell in the area after the storm rolled through.

Templeton said he was in Oglesby when he heard reports at about 5:00 p.m. of a tornado touching down south of Starved Rock.

NWS Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Patrick Marsh said crews are still determining how many twisters touched down across Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Missouri. Another person also died in Missouri while the violent storm system tore across many areas of the upper Midwest.

Rockford television stations reported damage southeast of Oregon.

Tutland and the other person were burning debris in his yard when someone warned them a storm was approaching, said Rich Ploch, chief deputy with the La Salle County coroner’s office. Since hails are also destructive, there were reports that the hail was sized from a penny to a baseball, quarter-sized hail in Joliet and baseball-sized in Ottawa.

The storm went further into the Northeast on Thursday morning, still affecting the parts of NY and across with nearly 40,000 households having power outages. Other affected areas, CNN reported, include IL, where a nursing home suffered damage. There were no serious injuries reported at the nursing home. No damage was reported in Marion County, but some areas did receive small hail.

“We got hit hard, but everyone including residents and staff are safe and accounted for. Help with the organization, make sure the shelters provide a home for those who need a place to stay.” said Rauner.

Government officials are determined to keep out hucksters and storm-chasers trying to prey on tornado victims with home fix fraud.

Strong winds elsewhere in the Plains spread wildfires in Texas.

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed Interstate 55 in both directions because of storm damage in Perryville, about 65 miles south of St. Louis. USA 60 had to be shut down Tuesday due to hail covering the highway. The hail was reportedly the size of half-dollars.