Tornado Destroys 250 Homes in Washington, Illinois

The mayor of the central Illinois community of Washington says storms and tornadoes destroyed or heavily damaged between 250 and 500 homes in the Tazewell County community.

Gary Manier says hundreds of residents of Washington spent the night in shelters after a storm cut a swath of damage through the community of about 16,000 people that’s about 140 miles southwest of Chicago.

It’s not clear when they’ll be allowed home.

One person in Washington died and a state official says at least 60 others were treated at area hospitals for injuries. Five other fatalities were reported across Illinois from Sunday’s severe weather.

Most of Washington remains without power on Monday and authorities say it could be days before the lights are back on.