A tornado touchdown has been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 48 miles west of Rockford, part of a massive storm system that is barreling toward Chicago Friday afternoon.
A tornado warning was issued for Lena at 4:45 p.m. CT, the National Weather Service said. Video from a livestream in Lena shows the massive, rotating storm descending on the town.
There is extensive damage in the storm’s wake, according to public officials. The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, asking people to avoid going to Lena at all.
“There is no way to get into town due to trees and wires down,” the post said. “Emergency Services are assisting people per Sheriff Stovall.”
The sheriff’s office said no deaths or serious injuries have been reported from the tornado.
“We are extremely fortunate that this storm did not result in loss of life or serious injury,” Sheriff Steve Stovall said in a statement. “Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of our residents, securing the affected areas, and supporting the Village of Lena as recovery efforts move forward.”
The Village of Lena Police Department issued an urgent public safety alert on their Facebook page, writing in part, “Another storm is moving toward our area. We’re already dealing with damage from the earlier tornado, and conditions could get worse quickly. Take shelter now.”
“Do not go out to look at damage,” the post warns. “Stay off the roads. Our crews are out working, and we need the roads clear so they can do their jobs safely. If you’re able, check on neighbors—but only if you can do it safely.”
Gov. JB Pritzker said in a post on his social media accounts that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency has responded to Lena and is coordinating with local officials to offer the state’s full support.
“Please follow any local guidance and stay safe,” Pritzker wrote.
Photos from the town show massive trees snapped by high winds and toppled over, blocking off roads.
At 6:20 p.m., the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office posted to social media that Lena is “Shut down” as they brace for a second round of storms.
“There will be NO traffic in or out of town per Sheriff Stovall until further notice. Emergency Services are assisting with storm damage,” the post reads.
The storm toppled trees, knocked down power lines, and left the ground littered with debris.
“We just had a funnel cloud come through from the … it looked like it came through from the southwest of us and was pouring through, but you could see it form,” said one Lena resident, named Rich.
People took cover as tornado sirens sounded and power was lost.
“The electricity went out, and I took the dog and went down in the basement in the shower, and I heard a big old crash, and I thought, ‘Oh, well, there goes the roof!’ but it wasn’t,” said another Lena resident named Marcia.
Instead, what she heard was a large tree falling in her yard.
As nightfall came, people throughout the village continued to clean up debris and repair damaged roofs. Crews said the tight-knit community didn’t hesitate to help however they could.
“We sent out the calvary, got out here, and the community started kicking in, started bringing in dumpsters, started cleaning up to get people through and make sure everybody’s safe. So, that’s what we like doing,” Kenneth Quinn said.
Schools with students inside may have been damaged; no injuries reported
Radio traffic from public safety officials in Stephenson County said the National Weather Service contacted them about a large and “extremely dangerous” tornado just west of Lena. According to the radio traffic, there were reports that part of the roof came off Lena High School and also damage at the elementary school. Both schools had students in them at the time the storm hit, according to the radio traffic.
No injuries were reported, and the students were kept safe inside as the storm passed over, but the radio conversation discusses “fairly extensive damage” to the exteriors.
School officials and Lena officials have not yet released any official details about the extent of the storm damage.
Lena is about 120 miles west of Chicago.
