Nearly two dozen tornadoes were reported in Illinois Friday, April 17, with a strong concentration centered around the Bloomington/Normal area, according to the National Weather Service.
Additional storms were reported near Mendota, Rockford and Freeport.
The tornadoes ranged from “weak” to “significant,” causing significant damage to trees and homes in towns like Lena and Denver.
Where did the strongest tornadoes strike on April 17?
Three tornadoes were reported with a 2 on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, meaning they garnered peak wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph.
They were reported in the following locations:
Strong storms with EF1 ratings were also reported in Denver and Colmar, garnering peak speeds of 110 and 105 mph, respectively.
What damage did April 17 tornadoes cause in Illinois?
No deaths or injuries were reported as a result of the storms, but many homes, trees and power lines were left severely damaged, according to the NWS.
The most significant damage was reported in Lena, where trees and power lines were uprooted and snapped and roofs were damaged. Two houses lost their entire roof structure on Grove Street, with two homes also experiencing partial exterior wall collapses, according to the NWS.
More than 50 utility poles were damaged in Denver, with some structural damage seen among windows, facades and roofs. One outbuilding was destroyed north of Colmar, with several power poles snapped or leaning on the nearby railroad track.
Similar damage to roofs and trees were seen in Lily and Tree Grove.
See footage of April 17 tornado damage in Illinois
Many Illinois residents shared evidence of the storms’ aftermaths on social media, publishing footage of damaged power lines and homes across the state.
Illinois Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL) shared an image of a toppled power line on X, linking the picture to storms in Normal. Sorensen wrote in the post that he is “thinking about all of the families impacted by the tornadoes and severe weather.”
Accuweather shared overhead footage of homes damaged in Lena – many of which stood without roofs.
One self-proclaimed storm chaser shared drone footage he said showed damage and debris across Lena.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Footage shows tornado aftermath in Illinois. How strong were storms?
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
