By Adam Chappelle, WLS-AM 890 News
(PONTIAC) At least two tornadoes touched down in LaSalle, Grundy, and Livingston Counties on Wednesday night.
The severe storms started firing west of Interstate 39 around 7pm, causing tornado warnings to be issued for areas around Dixon and Princeton, Illinois.
As the storms moved south and west, they became stronger and more violent. One confirmed tornado hit the town of Seneca in LaSalle and Grundy Counties. Fire crews responded to people trapped in a collapsed house, but no injuries were reported. High tension power lines were scattered across Highway 170.
Another cell moved into Livingston County, passing directly over the south and west sides of Pontiac. Witnesses and storm chasers described seeing a ‘large cone tornado’ as it passed through the town.
The National Weather Service reported people were trapped in a trailer park. The tornado caused a ‘major gas leak’ at an area Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant, and multiple buildings in Pontiac suffered heavy damage.
