Forecasters say at least 11 twisters hit Illinois

[November 19, 2013]  LINCOLN (AP) — Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say preliminary surveys show at least 11 tornadoes touched down in Illinois during Sunday's storms.

Crews surveying damage reported five tornadoes in central Illinois, three in northern Illinois, two in southwestern Illinois and a one in far-southern Illinois.

At least two of the tornadoes have preliminary designations as EF4s, the second-strongest rating given to the twisters.

One of those tornadoes hit the central Illinois community of Washington. It had winds that reached 190 miles per hour. That funnel cloud was on the ground for more than 46 miles.

Another tornado that hit Gifford had winds reaching 140 miles per hour and had a path that was 24 miles long.

Six people died in the storms and about 200 people were injured.

[Associated Press]

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