Gov. Rauner tours storm damage in Crossville, IL

The Ameren Illinois power company said more than 12,500 without power early Wednesday in that state, while Ameren Missouri said 11,600 customers were affected.

Although the tornadoes were expected to die down after Wednesday, damaging winds were still expected to hit the Southeast and East, The Weather Channel reported.

Illinois State Police director Leo Schmitz joined Governor Rauner on the tour.

News outlets in southern IL and eastern Missouri showed footage of rescue workers digging through destroyed homes and clearing debris from highways. Delays in flight schedules at New York City’s La Guardia Airport may have been caused by a lightning strike at the runway which has forced them to temporarily shut down.

The cost of the damage wasn’t immediately clear, but “we will be able to restart the site” eventually, Miller said. That area has restricted access right now. About 18,000 utility customers in the area were without power at one point Tuesday, WSMV reported.

“The only people that will be allowed in are residents that can prove their residency with a drivers license or contractors that are registered at the city”, Eschbach added.

A man in one of those vehicles died, Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. WBBM reported that DJ Johnson, 31, was crushed by the same tree while pushing a third man to safety. Others were injured, and cars were left scattered on highways.

Chief Nevins did say that the Pilkington Plant sustained significant damage.

“It’s wonderful the way the residents and the community helped each other”, he said. “We’re going to make sure they’re supported and they’re protected”. “The basement windows blew out?” said Gov. Rauner.

The Salvation Army has been serving meals to first responders, utility workers and disaster victims, The organization is now focusing on meeting the extended needs of disaster victims.