A string of at least four tornadoes struck central and northern Illinois Wednesday night causing heavy damage and at least three injuries in Pontiac. Information is still being collected by fire and law enforcement officials, though some reports indicate children were among those injured when a mobile home was destroyed.
In Pontiac, the Fire Department said overnight "some injuries appeared to be somewhat serious." Fire officials said the twister may have touched down about 2000 North and 800 East Roads in Livingston County about 10:30 p.m. The tornado tracked diagonally toward the town and entered Pontiac around the 197 mile marker of Interstate 55. That's the Route 116 exit.
There is damage to an Amoco Station and Convenience store. Winds knocked the canopy down, overturned an empty semi tractor trailer. Across the road there was a partial building collapse at a Shell Convenience Store and damage to the front of Wal-Mart in Pontiac.
Despite several injuries, officials in Pontiac say Wednesday’s tornado could have been much worse. The storm system produced at least four tornadoes across the state. The one in Pontiac measured an EF-2, with top winds around 120 miles per hour. Mayor Robert Russell says the twister traveled along the outskirts of the city -- which may have saved lives. Crews have been allowed into the area for cleanup and repairs.
According to the National Weather Service, four confirmed tornado touchdowns were reported across the state last night as a violent storm system moved through from neighboring Iowa.
