There were no reported fatalities or injures from the single weather system, which produced heavy rains and winds approaching 60 miles per hour, he said.
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The weather service said firefighters responded to reports of people trapped in a house in Seneca, about 70 miles southwest of Chicago.
The Journal & Courier reports two hog barns collapsed when a storm swept Clinton County, but no injuries were reported. The tornado tracked diagonally toward the town and entered Pontiac around the 197 mile marker of Interstate 55.
The Mayor of Pontiac, Bob Russell, said in a Thursday news conference the governor called and offered “all the help that we need” while the city recovers from the powerful storms. A nearby trailer park also sustained damage, with reports of several people being entrapped during the night. And now, however, the Commonwealth Edison spokesman Anita Martinez said trees have brought down power lines in the city.
The National Weather Service now says at least six tornadoes hit IL.
The NWS said survey crews will be dispatched to review damage along three separate super cell paths, including Pontiac to Chatsworth.
Eighteen tornadoes were reported across the state. Emergency officials in Chicago were advised to be prepared for severe winds, storms, and possible tornados.
In addition to the cancelled flights at O’Hare International Airport, another 40 were scrubbed at Chicago Midway International Airport Wednesday, officials said. Minor damages have been reported so far.
Parts of the Ohio Valley, including Louisville, Kentucky; Charleston, West Virginia; and Cincinnati were the most at risk of high wind gust and even severe tornadoes Thursday, The Weather Channel reported.
Officials in LaSalle County in northern IL say they are receiving reports of minor damage after a tornado touched down near the city of Earlville.
Four people were injured, local police said, but everyone is expected to make a full recovery.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Department has not received yet information about damages caused by the storm. Small towns in the area southwest of Chicago are surrounded by farm fields.
The weather service has confirmed at least six tornadoes touched down in northern IL on Wednesday night. They were later rescued by fire officials.
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A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for areas west of Chicago and for central and southern Cook County, which includes the city.
