Eight people are now confirmed dead as a result of severe weather and tornadoes across the Midwest Sunday.
Monday provided a more complete view of the destruction in Washington, Ill., where an EF-4 tornado tore through neighborhoods, tossing vehicles into the air and flattening homes. As it tore through the town, the twister measured one-eighth of a mile wide. (Via WLS-TV)
Six deaths were confirmed in Illinois, yet despite all the damage in Washington County, only one person was killed there. There were two deaths in nearby Tazewell County, near Peoria. Massac County, at the state's southern tip saw three fatalities. And in Michigan, more deadly winds knocked over trees and power lines, killing one in Jackson County and one more about 75 miles north. (Via Google)
Early reports credited early warnings from forecasters for a relatively low death toll, considering how much structural damage cities like Washington suffered. (ViaLos Angeles Times)
The fact that many residents were in church when the first warnings came across might have also saved lives. Church leaders in Washington halted services and led people to a safe part of the facility. (Via The New York Times)
Monday, many surivivors revisited their destroyed homes.
"Things were dropping on top of me, splitting in two, part of the wall, I think. We crawled out, looked around, and we couldn't believe it." (Via WMAQ)
State authorities reported more than 200 people injured in Illinois — 120 of those in Washington. In all, meterologists counted at least 11 tornadoes Sunday across the Midwest. (Via WBBM)
