• published: 18 Nov 2013
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November 18, 2013 (WASHINGTON, Ill.) (WLS) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was set to tour the state Monday to visit some of the towns hardest hit by tornadoes over the weekend. At least six people in Illinois were killed. Washington, Illinois tornado damage, suburban Chicago storm damage That tour will include the town of Washington, where there was one storm-related death. Two others deid in Washington County near St. Louis, and three were killed in downstate Massac County, which is located along the Ohio River near Paducah, Ky. Related Photos Chicago Weather: Storm, tornado damage View all 60 photos ABC7 has received reports of debris, such as pictures, W2s and checks, from downstate Washington and Pekin, Ill., being found as far away as Shorewood and Countryside in the southwest Chicago suburbs. A curfew was being enforced in the town of Washington from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday. Checkpoints stood at the main entrances to the town where drivers had to prove they lived in the town to enter. Other roads were blocked completely due to severe damage. Related Content PHOTOS: Chicago Weather: Storm, tornado damage WEATHER: Street-Level Interactive Doppler Radar MORE: ABC7 Weather Center MORE: Send ABC7 your weather photos MORE: Chicago Travel Guide MORE: Flight Tracker: Check the status of your flight STORY: Tornadoes cut destructive path south of Chicago STORY: 12 Ind. counties report tornadoes or damage STORY: Severe weather outbreak delays Bears game Washington is a town of about 15,000 people, located east of Peoria. One portion of the community is now homeless. It is not known exactly how many people. The tornado that touched down Sunday was ferocious, although it has not been classified on the EF scale yet. It was on the ground, Eyewitness News was told, for possibly two to three miles, carving up everything in its path. It cut a swath of destruction right through town, killing one and injuring several dozen. Residents were forewarned, which might account in part for the comparatively low number of casualties. Many homeowners told similar stories, saying the headed for the basements, waited the tornado out, and when it was over, they came back upstairs to find their home flattened and many belongings gone. "I go outside and heard this it's like a train, like a loud train -- and I said this isn't right. It is not thunder. It just kept coming," Washington resident Curtis Mack said. "We got home from having breakfast, and then, the power was out instantly when we got home. I could see the dust coming from the tornado, and it sounded like a train coming at us and we jumped in the closet and covered ourselves with pillows," said Phil Bolam, also a Washington resident. After the curfew expires, some of the homeowners will be allowed to return to their homes to recover what, if anything, they can. Some belongings, like paper, etc., were blown 50 to 60 miles northeast by the storm. The mayor in Streator, Ill. said debris from Washington was on the streets in his town. Governor Quinn has declared seven Counties in the state disaster areas, including Tazewell County, which includes Washington. The governor was scheduled to arrive in Washington, Ill. at 11 a.m. His office issued the following statement regarding severe weather across the state on Sunday: "Today's severe weather warnings and storms across Illinois are very serious. I urge everyone to pay attention to all weather alerts and stay home and inside if possible. Driving during these severe conditions is extremely dangerous. All residents should stay off the roads until these storms and flood warnings subside." The governor's office also says a list of road closures caused by the storms is available at www.dot.il.gov/road/roadClosures.htm. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) released a written statement on Sunday night regarding the severe weather outbreak: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by today's severe storms. I am receiving regular updates from Illinois emergency officials and local leaders including those from Washington, Illinois one of the areas that was hardest hit today. While we don't yet know the full extent of the damage, it is clear that coordinated local, state and federal resources will be needed to rebuild. I stand ready to work with my colleagues in that effort." The Illinois National Guard dispatched 10 firefighters to Washington to search for survivors of a powerful tornado on Sunday. A news release by the National Guard follows reports that people were trapped in buildings after the severe weather. Area hospitals were also trying to set up a temporary emergency medical care facility in Washington. One official in a nearby hospital said it was unclear how many people were injured or the severity of those injuries. Steve Brewer of the Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria says a few people have come to the hospital and about 15 more had gone to another area hospital.