Deadly tornadoes hit southern Illinois

A tornado struck Mount Vernon in Jefferson County, Illinois, on Sunday evening, killing two residents and injuring at least five others, local authorities said.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard said the tornado touched down around 5 p.m. local time on June 21 and caused severe destruction in the area. The victims were identified as Sarita Kimble, 62, and Delores Shelton, 83.

The sheriff's office said the storm destroyed at least three mobile homes. Authorities said the injuries were not life-threatening.

What happened

Early reports said the tornado hit southern Illinois as part of a broader severe-weather outbreak moving across the Midwest and nearby states. The damage in Mount Vernon was concentrated in separate structures that were leveled by the storm.

Officials said search-and-rescue and damage-assessment work continued after the tornado passed.

What remains unknown

The National Weather Service was still conducting a damage survey, so the final confirmed track, rating and footprint had not yet been released. Officials also had not yet said whether the broader outbreak had caused additional fatalities elsewhere.

More severe weather was still possible in the region as the storm system continued moving through the area.