Tornado Damages Homes and Knocks Out Power in Streator

STREATOR — Cleanup continues today after severe storms swept through northern Illinois, causing widespread tree damage, power outages and a confirmed tornado in the Streator area. City officials said the tornado touched down Thursday afternoon and caused significant damage to the southern part of the community. Streator Mayor Tara Bedei said there were no reported fatalities and thanked emergency personnel for their response. Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service said the tornado developed in Woodford County around 5 p.m. Thursday, moved northeast into south Streator where at least a half dozen homes were destroyed, and continued toward Ransom. National Weather Service survey teams are expected to examine storm damage in the coming days.