Tornadoes strike Illinois and Indiana, leaving fatalities, multiple injuries and widespread damage as emergency crews respond and communities begin recovery efforts
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Mar 11, 2026, 21:00 IST
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Illinois and Indiana were swept up in a fierce storm system that spawned deadly tornadoes. Tragically, at least two lives were lost, and numerous individuals sustained injuries as homes were ripped apart. As the storm subsided, another wave of severe weather rolled in, bringing heavy rain, hail, and powerful winds.
Major storms, including intense supercell thunderstorms, spawned tornadoes across parts of Illinois and Indiana on Tuesday, resulting in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries. Homes were leveled, and another round of severe weather, featuring rain, hail, and strong winds, moved through the region on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service office in Chicago reported that several intense supercell thunderstorms crossed northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana on Tuesday. One supercell was responsible for at least four tornadoes.
Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran issued a plea for people to stay away from the affected areas.
“Please do not come here. Do not try to help right now,” Sheriff Cothran said in a video update. He was standing in front of what appeared to be a destroyed home in Lake Village, Indiana.
Residents were trapped in their damaged homes and required rescue. Many roads became impassable, and at least 70 utility poles were knocked down, according to officials speaking at a news conference on Wednesday morning.
Newton County Coroner Scott McCord confirmed in a news release that a tornado struck a home, killing an elderly couple. Their names have not yet been released.
Laurie Postma, a spokeswoman for the Lake Township Volunteer Fire Department, stated at the news conference that fewer than 10 people sustained injuries in Tuesday's storms.
David Ferris, a paramedic from a neighboring county who resides in Lake Village, described his experience. He and his wife, along with their dogs, sheltered in their downstairs bathtub and were unharmed, though they lost power.
Ferris then assisted with rescue efforts, aiding individuals with cuts, scrapes, and head injuries.
“We had another house where a guy crawled out,” Ferris told The Associated Press. “He was having some trouble breathing because he was covered in house insulation.”
Ferris also noted the destruction of the local Family Dollar store and a gas station across the street. He observed that multiple large trees had been uprooted.
The weather service indicated that survey crews were scheduled to determine the strength and exact number of tornadoes on Wednesday.
The storms also produced exceptionally large hail, with stones ranging from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. A hailstone measuring 6 inches in diameter, found in Kankakee, Illinois, may be considered for a new state record, according to the weather service.
On Wednesday morning, parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio were under a tornado watch.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker shared on the social platform X that he had been briefed on the storm and the tornado damage.
“Keeping in our thoughts all Illinoisans impacted by the severe weather — we’ll be here to help them recover,” Governor Pritzker posted.
In Kankakee County, Illinois, a tornado touched down near the fairgrounds, approximately 57 miles south of Chicago. It then moved northeast into Aroma Park, causing extensive damage, as reported by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries have been reported in this area.
Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey urged residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones.
“I want to remind area residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones but to avoid unnecessary travel, if at all possible,” Sheriff Downey said in a statement.
Social media videos captured the twister moving across farmland near an airport, with vehicles lined up along the road.
More than 2 million Americans faced a moderate risk of severe weather in Illinois and Indiana. A slightly lesser risk extended to nearly 22 million people in a zone encompassing Chicago, Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service office in Chicago reported that several intense supercell thunderstorms crossed northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana on Tuesday. One supercell was responsible for at least four tornadoes.
Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran issued a plea for people to stay away from the affected areas.
“Please do not come here. Do not try to help right now,” Sheriff Cothran said in a video update. He was standing in front of what appeared to be a destroyed home in Lake Village, Indiana.
Residents were trapped in their damaged homes and required rescue. Many roads became impassable, and at least 70 utility poles were knocked down, according to officials speaking at a news conference on Wednesday morning.
Newton County Coroner Scott McCord confirmed in a news release that a tornado struck a home, killing an elderly couple. Their names have not yet been released.
Laurie Postma, a spokeswoman for the Lake Township Volunteer Fire Department, stated at the news conference that fewer than 10 people sustained injuries in Tuesday's storms.
David Ferris, a paramedic from a neighboring county who resides in Lake Village, described his experience. He and his wife, along with their dogs, sheltered in their downstairs bathtub and were unharmed, though they lost power.
Ferris then assisted with rescue efforts, aiding individuals with cuts, scrapes, and head injuries.
“We had another house where a guy crawled out,” Ferris told The Associated Press. “He was having some trouble breathing because he was covered in house insulation.”
Ferris also noted the destruction of the local Family Dollar store and a gas station across the street. He observed that multiple large trees had been uprooted.
The weather service indicated that survey crews were scheduled to determine the strength and exact number of tornadoes on Wednesday.
The storms also produced exceptionally large hail, with stones ranging from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. A hailstone measuring 6 inches in diameter, found in Kankakee, Illinois, may be considered for a new state record, according to the weather service.
On Wednesday morning, parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio were under a tornado watch.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker shared on the social platform X that he had been briefed on the storm and the tornado damage.
“Keeping in our thoughts all Illinoisans impacted by the severe weather — we’ll be here to help them recover,” Governor Pritzker posted.
In Kankakee County, Illinois, a tornado touched down near the fairgrounds, approximately 57 miles south of Chicago. It then moved northeast into Aroma Park, causing extensive damage, as reported by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries have been reported in this area.
Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey urged residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones.
“I want to remind area residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones but to avoid unnecessary travel, if at all possible,” Sheriff Downey said in a statement.
Social media videos captured the twister moving across farmland near an airport, with vehicles lined up along the road.
More than 2 million Americans faced a moderate risk of severe weather in Illinois and Indiana. A slightly lesser risk extended to nearly 22 million people in a zone encompassing Chicago, Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.