Photos, videos and drone footage captured the scenes many across Illinois and Indiana were waking up to Friday as devastating storms and tornadoes left behind a sea of debris.
The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes struck Illinois and northwest Indiana Thursday, with crews expected to survey the damage Friday and into the coming days to determine the strength, number and path.
“Some of these tornadoes were strong, with notable damage occurring in several areas, including Streator, IL; Merrillville, IN; and Hebron, IN,” the agency wrote.
Here’s a look at some of the scenes showing damage:
Streator, Illinois
The National Weather Service said a confirmed, large tornado hit the Streator area around 5:50 p.m.
At least one person had to be rescued from the rubble of their home in a moment that was caught on camera.
A man was rescued from the rubble of a home in Streator, Illinois, that was destroyed when a tornado hit the area on Thursday.
Drone footage captured a look at what the damage and destruction looked like in parts of the Chicago suburb.
Drone video offers a look at the extent of storm damage in Streator, Illinois, where one of the multiple tornadoes to hit Illinois and Indiana Thursday is believed to have touched down.
Merrillville, Indiana
In Merrillville, officials said “extensive damage” was reported across the town and called the storms “devastating.” One resident said the damage looked like “a war zone.”
Bartlett, Illinois
Other regions also experienced significant damage in the storms, including areas like Bartlett in the northwest Chicago suburbs.
No injuries were immediately reported in the region but officials warned of downed power lines and other hazards in the debris.
Bridgeview, Illinois
In Bridgeview, partial roofs were seen torn of apartment buildings, garages collapsed on cars, trees uprooted and power line poles snapped in half.
McHenry County, Illinois
Officials in McHenry County reported flooding and downed power lines as firefighters and emergency personnel “responded to numerous weather-related incidents” in Cary, Woodstock and beyond.
