Deadly Tornado Tears Through Northern Illinois
Widespread damage reported by police in at least two towns.
— -- At least one person died and heavy damage was reported after a large tornado swept through northern Illinois, authorities said.
One death was reported in Fairdale, which is located in the north-central part of the state. According to DeKalb County Coroner and County Emergency Services Coordinator Dennis Miller, the victim, a 67-year-old woman, was found unresponsive in her home by family members and was later pronounced dead.
The tornado affected all 40 to 50 homes and structures in Fairdale, authorities said. The full extent of the damage will emerge during the Friday daytime hours.
Damage was also reported in Hillcrest, Illinois, about 80 miles west of Chicago.
Emergency responders rescued 12 people from a restaurant in nearby Rochelle, Illinois, where the roof collapsed, said Lynn-Scott Rock Asst. Fire Chief Richard Mott. The people who were trapped by the collapsed roof suffered minor injuries, he said.
The strong system brought hail and damaging winds to the Midwest and Plains as it moved east Thursday night.
The system forced the cancellation of over 800 flights at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and dozens more at Midway International Airport.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.