Illinois towns see damage, power outages after deadly storms

SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - At least seven tornadoes roared through northern and central Illinois Tuesday afternoon, leaving two people dead.

Wayne Tuntland, 76, was hit by a falling tree in the 400 block of State Street in Ottawa, according to the LaSalle County coroner’s office. He was pronounced dead at 5:13 p.m.

The LaSalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa was destroyed by a twister. Ten 10 people were treated for injuries when the storm struck the home with 68 residents inside. Five residents were treated for minor injuries on the scene, while five others were taken to a hospital.

“We got hit hard, but everyone including residents and staff are safe and accounted for. Your prayers are greatly appreciated,” the nursing home posted on its Facebook page.

The American Red Cross set up a reception center at Ottawa High School for those displaced by the storms. Spokeswoman Joy Squier said they are also working to help make sure the nursing home residents are placed in other facilities, with their families or with others who can help give them shelter.

In southern Illinois, Thomas McCord, 71, was in front of his home at 1529 County Rd. 1800 North in Crossville when the tornado hit, said White County Coroner Chris Marsh. Authorities found him about 70 yards away in the field behind his home. He suffered blunt force trauma.

McCord’s wife was inside the house and also injured, Marsh said. She was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released. Crossville is a village of 745 people that sits near the Indiana state line.

Before Tuesday, there had only been one tornado reported in northern Illinois during the month of February since 1950, according to the National Weather service.

The largest hail of the storm, reported in Ottawa, was baseball-sized, according to the weather service.

NWS Chicago damage survey teams will be assessing damage and reports of tornadoes in LaSalle and Grundy counties, and NWS Lincoln will be surveying from Washburn to the Long Point area.

The storms prompted Gov. Bruce Rauner to activate the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield to ensure state personnel and equipment could be quickly deployed if needed to help local emergency responders with public safety issues following “tornado touchdowns in several areas of Illinois.”

Joseph said the state sent seven troopers to help with traffic control and security in Ottawa, while the MABAS system—Mutual Aid Box Alarm System—was activated in Naplate, population 523, to provide emergency rapid response and operations.

Residents dealing with flooding will have to deal with more rain on Wednesday, which is then expected to turn to snow, according to the weather service. The temperature will fall to about 37 degrees by Wednesday evening.

The hectic weather will continue into Thursday when the Chicago area could see a mix of rain and snow showers.