TORNADOES DEVASTATE MIDWESTERN TOWNS

While the Monsters of the Midway were defeating the Baltimore Ravens in overtime, the Midwest was dealing with its own Monsters. Eighty-one tornadoes—two of which were rated EF-4s—ripped through America’s heartland, leaving at least eight people dead, over fifty hospitalized and hundreds homeless.

Seven Illinois counties are in a state of emergency after tornadoes moved across the state midday yesterday. One of the EF-4 tornadoes devastated Washington, Il., where the high winds killed at least one and damaged between 250 to 500 buildings. The small town located east of Peoria has about 16,00 residents. Many of the survivors recalled the calm before the storm, making the devastation seem that much more unbelievable.

Some survivors and first responders documented the storm with their smartphones and posted photos and videos online.

While Washington suffered the brunt of the devastation, tornado-related deaths were reported in the Southern Illinois towns of Brookport and New Minden as well as two deaths in the state of Michigan.

With just a week and a half before Thanksgiving, hundreds of people across the Midwest are homeless and displaced, some with no more possessions than they can fit in a garbage bag. Several agencies have begun collections for the people affected by the storm. Click here if you want more donation information.

As the heartland begins to rebuild, Americans are sent into the holiday season with a humbling reminder of what to truly be thankful for this year.

Cover Photo Source: spirit of america / Shutterstock.com​​

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