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Tornadoes hit midwestern U.S. state of Illinois

Xinhua, March 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

At least four tornadoes touched down in north-central and southwestern parts of the U.S. state of Illinois on Tuesday evening, killing one person and bringing large hail, high winds and heavy damage to the area.

Multiple tornadoes have been reported on the ground beginning shortly after 4 p.m. (2200 GMT), according to the National Weather Service.

Downed trees, broken windows, widespread power outages and gas leaks have been reported by residents of Ottawa in north-central Illinois. Ottawa Fire Department reported one fatality from the tornado that hit Ottawa about 4:45 p.m.(2245 GMT).

Large hail fell throughout northern Illinois, with 1-inch hailstones reported in Alsip and Romeoville area, according to the weather service.

"Storms will eventually develop into a complex ahead of a cold front, which will push east across the outlook area overnight," the weather service said on its website.

A tornado watch was in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday (0400 GMT Wednesday)for northern and central Illinois, northwest Indiana and eastern Iowa, with strong storms including "very large hail" over the whole area.

The tornado watch area includes all of northern and central Illinois, as well as five northwestern counties in Indiana and 17 counties in Iowa. Endi