NWS Survey Crews Assess Multiple Tornadoes That Hit Kouts, Dwight, Streator, Merrillville

National Weather Service survey crews began assessing areas hit by Thursday’s storms, saying early Friday that "multiple tornadoes impacted Illinois and northwestern Indiana" the day prior.

NBC 5 Chicago reported that as of 4 p.m. crews confirmed an EF-3 level tornado left damage in Kouts in Porter County, an EF-1 tornado touched down near Dwight in Livingston County, and an EF-3 tornado struck Streator, Illinois.

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NBC Chicago said the NWS confirmed a large tornado hit the Streator area around 5:50 p.m., and at least one person had to be rescued from the rubble of their home in a moment caught on camera.

In Merrillville, Indiana, officials said "extensive damage" was reported across the town from the "devastating" storms, and residents described waking to debris and devastation with many homes flattened and power lines down.

The National Weather Service’s EF scale was referenced in the coverage, with an EF-3 tornado described as one with winds between 136 to 165 mph, according to NWS.

ABC7 Chicago reported that the NWS sent teams to survey damage in Streator, Naperville, Bartlett and Northwest Indiana during the day Friday, with tornadoes rated so far including Kouts, Indiana at EF-3 and Streator, Illinois at EF-3.

ABC7 Chicago said ComEd reported more than 148,683 customers were without power early Friday morning, while NIPSCO said more than 61,952 customers were without power in Northwest Indiana.

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CBS News reported that the storms resulted in at least one death in Iowa and that the NWS confirmed at least four tornadoes, including two in Streator, Illinois, and Kouts, Indiana, with a preliminary rating of EF-3 meaning strong twisters with wind speeds of up to 165 mph.

CBS News also said more than 1,000 flights going into and out of Chicago had been delayed or canceled, citing FlightAware, and it described the air traffic control tower at Chicago’s Midway airport being evacuated due to a tornado warning.

In Streator, Illinois, NBC Chicago quoted Streator Mayor Tara Bedei asking residents not to travel to impacted neighborhoods unless they live in the area or have a legitimate need, and it said closures remained in place until at least 8 a.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service’s overview page said several tornadoes occurred across parts of northern and central Illinois and northwest Indiana during the late afternoon and evening of Thursday, June 11th, and that damage surveys would be conducted over the coming days to determine the number of tornadoes and their track and intensity.

“National Weather Service sends out tornado damage survey teams, recovery and cleanup effort begins CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cleanup across the Chicago area got underway Friday after strong thunderstorms spawned at least four confirmed tornadoes Thursday evening, including EF-3 tornadoes”

ABC7 Chicago

FOX Weather reported that the NWS rated the tornado that caused significant damage in Streator at least an EF-3, and it said parts of Chicago were placed under a Tornado Warning Thursday night.

Chicago Tribune reported that the National Weather Service’s Chicago office said it is conducting storm surveys over the next few days to gauge exactly how many tornadoes touched down Thursday, as well as their intensity, and it cited preliminary results showing an EF-1 tornado in Bartlett and central Livingston County including near Dwight.

Chicago Tribune also reported that Streator officials said Friday morning that four people were transported to the OSF Center for Health with minor injuries and that 11 homes were damaged, several of which were completely destroyed.

NBC 5 Chicago said emergency crews were still assessing the damage and that at least one person had to be rescued from the rubble in Streator, while the NWS survey work continued into Friday and beyond.