Multiple storms swept across Illinois and the wider Midwest on Thursday (June 11), bringing reports of tornado damage as severe weather rapidly intensified, prompting tornado and flood watches.
Eyewitness footage showed a tornado looming over Streator, Illinois, located roughly 80 miles (129km) southwest of Chicago, with sirens blaring.
According to local media, the Chicago area was pounded on Thursday by severe storms for hours with multiple reports of tornado damage.
The National Weather Service warned the tornado threat was significantly higher than in a typical severe weather event, with an elevated risk of violent tornadoes. The Chicago area was upgraded to a Level 4 out of 5 severe storm risk, local media reported.
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