A large wedge tornado was spotted in Washburn, Illinois, on Thursday afternoon, prompting a Tornado Watch for 18 counties across central, east-central, north-central and northeast Illinois.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Tornado Warning until 5:45pm CDT for parts of central Illinois, including Lacon, Washburn and Toluca, warning of a damaging tornado and possible quarter-size hail.
The NWS called the situation a Potentially Destructive Situation (PDS), with people on the path of the tornado facing a life-threatening situation.
The tornado was spotted near Washburn, around seven miles east of Chillicothe, and was moving northeast at a speed of 45mph.
Areas such as Washburn, Varna, Toluca and Wenona were on the path of the tornado, with additional impact possible in La Rose, Low Point and Lake Wildwood.
