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Photos: At least 3 killed as severe storms spawn damaging tornadoes in midwestern US

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Mar 2, 2017 12:59 AM EDT | Updated Mar 2, 2017 1:22 PM EDT

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Tornadoes ripped through the midwestern United States causing destruction in many communities late on Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday night.

A preliminary rating of EF3 or greater is expected with the storm damage just to the south of Crossville, Illinois, according to NWS Paducah. An EF3 tornado has wind speeds between 136 to 165 mph and produces extensive damage, as seen below.

Preliminary data suggests at least 22 tornadoes occurred yesterday across the country.
— NWS Paducah, KY (@NWSPaducah) March 1, 2017

One person died in Perryville, Missouri, while two people were killed in Illinois. Near the town of Crossville, Illinois, a 71-year-old man was killed when a tornado struck a building near his home. In Ottawa, Illinois, one person was killed after a tree was uprooted.

Severe thunderstorms moved through the Washington, D.C. area on Wednesday afternoon producing wind gusts as high as 78 mph. These strong gusts brought down trees and power lines, leaving more than 40,000 without electricity across the region for a time after the storms moved through.

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Illinois governor visits the aftermath of severe storms across the state. (Image via @GovRauner)

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Governor Bruce Rauner assessing the damage in Illinois. (Image via @GovRauner)

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Damage in Scott County, Indiana at a local shop. (Instagram/bucketlistfactory)

Storms flipped over a truck and toppled a utility pole in Armorel, Arkansas, during the overnight hours on Wednesday. (Photo/Instagram user lynelldk)

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Downed trees due to the severe winds in Illinois. (Image via @GovRauner)

Tree damage has been reported in Ottawa, Illinois. (Photo/Instagram user Joanie Lum, reporter, FOX 32 News

Higginson, Arkansas tornado damage @KATVToddYak @KATVNews pic.twitter.com/IqnngadWZu
— Brian Emfinger (@brianemfinger) March 1, 2017

This photo provided by Tim Creedon shows his baseball and a hailstone that fell in the backyard of Creedon's home in Ottawa, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has activated the state's emergency operations center as local officials reported damage from tornadoes spawned by a late-winter storm system. (Tim Creedon via AP)

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Governor Rauner talking with local law enforcement. "Just got done walking through the small village of Naplate. Proud of the community that’s coming together to support those with damage," Gov. Rauner said. (Image via @GovRauner)

More from north #perryville, national weather service estimates at this damage point in #PerryCounty tornado was half a mile wide. pic.twitter.com/mvppFyO7fH
— j casas (@llenicasas) March 1, 2017

A tree that was blown down by strong winds in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Photo/City of Oak Ridge)

Update - Trees down - Parkwood Rd & Brookfield Dr, Parkwood/Kensington; 10200blk Parkwood Ct, tree on occupied house w/ no injury pic.twitter.com/XjV0tVGHZm— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 1, 2017

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