Illinois surveys damage after rare December tornadoes
Residents in central Illinois are assessing damage from rare December tornadoes that ripped roofs off homes, downed power lines and injured at least 20 people.
The Springfield Journal Register reported that the National Weather Service sent crews Sunday to survey the hardest-hit areas, including Taylorville, 25 miles southeast of Springfield.
Assistant Fire Chief Andy Goodall spoke to reporters Saturday night after the storms raked the city of 11,000. He said at least 100 homes had major damage, including his own.
A Taylorville Memorial Hospital spokesman said 21 people, from age 9 to 97, arrived for treatment Saturday. Most were discharged within hours.
No deaths have been reported in Illinois. One death was reported in southwest Missouri early Saturday after thunderstorms there.
The peak months for tornadoes in much of the Midwest are April and June.
As severe storms swept across Illinois and Missouri, other parts of the Midwest — including Minnesota — saw heavy snow.
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