Strong thunderstorms from southern Illinois to the Chicago area produced reports of tornadoes, heavy downpours, golf ball-sized hail and airport delays on Sunday.
One home near the small town of Wheeler in Jasper County was destroyed in the storm, but no injuries were reported, according to Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson. No other major damage had been reported to the agency as of Sunday night, she said.
Flight delays averaged two hours at O'Hare International Airport and up to 60 minutes at Midway Airport Sunday evening, Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Wendy Abrams said.
Weather spotters reported at least two tornadoes that touched down Sunday afternoon in Christian County south of Springfield, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln. There were many reports of fallen tree branches and downed power lines, but no major damage was reported, meteorologist Kirk Huettl said.
Tornadoes reportedly touched down in Douglas, Edgar, Crawford, Coles, Ford, Iroquois and Effingham counties, the weather service said on its Web site. Near the town of Teutopolis in Effingham County, police said at least one building had been damaged, the weather service reported.
Hail as large as golf balls was reported in several central Illinois counties. In Macon County, 60 mph winds damaged some homes, and 75 mph gusts damaged the roof of a high school in the town of Robinson in Crawford County, the weather service reported.
Tornado warnings were issued from as far south as Fayette County in south central Illinois to Will County south of Chicago, with most warnings issued for communities in central Illinois.