Meanwhile, authorities say a tornado has touched down near the central Illinois community of Rochelle. Initial reports form the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department is that the funnel has caused considerable damage.
A sheriff’s dispatcher who would not give her name said a tornado also swept across the nearby town of Hillcrest late Thursday. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s spokesman Ken DeCoster says funnel clouds were spotted near Rockford, but did not touch down. However, there were reports of damage in an area east of the city in the incorporated community of Fairdale.
Tornadoes were reported earlier Thursday near Peoria, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
A broad swath of the Midwest is being pummeled by hail, damaging winds and as a strong storm front rumbles through the Plains.
Story is developing...
With AP.
