Tornadoes hit Illinois as storms threaten across midwestern US – in pictures

East Peoria resident Billy Vestal evacuates with his daughter, Lillian Vestal, 3. Photograph: Justin Wan/AP

Washington, Illinois firefighters stand in the middle of Devonshire Street on the north side of town. Photograph: Steve Smedley/AP

A Washington homeowner moves debris next to a set of stairs that once lead to the second floor of his house. Photograph: Steve Smedley/AP

Washington resident Ray Baughman embraces family members in front of his home. Photograph: Fred Zwicky/AP

Chicago Bears players leave Soldier Field after their home game against the Baltimore Ravens was delayed. Photograph: Tannen Maury/EPA

A tornado left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Illinois. Photograph: Fred Zwicky/AP

Shirley Wolf says she hung on to her dog Sammy for dear life as a tornado destroyed her home in Pekin. Photograph: Fred Zwicky/AP

Josh Ramsey recovers items from a house of a family friend in Pekin. Photograph: Fred Zwicky/AP

A garage in the town of Hustisford. Photograph: Joseph Meagher/AP

Other states were also affected. Here, firefighters climb over a tree that fell on a house in Webster Groves, Missouri. Photograph: David Carson/AP