A suspected tornado tore through Jefferson County, Illinois, USA, on Sunday evening, leaving a trail of destruction that claimed two lives, injured several others, and damaged or destroyed multiple homes.

Emergency crews rushed to affected communities after reports of a tornado touching down near Mount Vernon, Dix, Texico, and surrounding rural areas, where powerful winds flattened structures, uprooted trees, and knocked down power lines.

Authorities say the severe storm is one of the deadliest weather events to strike the region this year.

Two People Killed as Tornado Destroys Homes

According to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard, two women lost their lives when the storm struck mobile homes in rural parts of the county.

The victims were identified as:

• Delores B. Shelton, 83
• Sarita L. Kimble, 62

Both residents lived near Mount Vernon and were killed when the tornado directly impacted single-wide trailer homes.

Officials say one fatality occurred on North Ranch Lane, while the second occurred on East July Road.

Five Others Injured

In addition to the fatalities, five people were transported to local hospitals with injuries.

Authorities reported that the injuries were not considered life-threatening, although emergency responders continue assessing the full impact of the storm.

Search and rescue teams worked throughout the evening to ensure no additional victims remained trapped in damaged structures.

Homes Destroyed and Communities Damaged

The tornado caused extensive destruction across northeastern Jefferson County.

Officials confirmed that at least three homes were completely destroyed, while numerous other residences suffered varying degrees of damage.

One particularly severe incident occurred in the community of Texico, where a house reportedly collapsed after being struck by the suspected tornado.

Widespread Damage Reported

Residents reported seeing a tornado near the communities of Dix and Texico shortly before emergency calls began flooding dispatch centers.

Emergency crews responded to reports of:

• Collapsed homes
• Downed trees
• Power outages
• Blocked roads
• Damaged utility infrastructure
• Missing persons

Authorities say the storm left significant debris scattered across the affected area.

Massive Emergency Response Launched

Shortly after 5 p.m. local time, multiple emergency agencies mobilized to respond to the disaster.

Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, state troopers, and volunteer rescue organizations joined search and rescue efforts throughout the evening.

Several local fire departments and emergency medical services participated in operations as crews worked to locate victims, clear debris, and restore access to affected neighborhoods.

Power Restoration Underway

Utility crews worked overnight to restore electricity to impacted areas.

Officials report that most power outages had been resolved by Monday morning, although some isolated areas continued experiencing disruptions due to damaged infrastructure.

Several roads remained partially blocked by fallen trees and storm debris.

Residents Urged to Avoid Affected Areas

Sheriff Bullard is asking the public to avoid northeastern Jefferson County unless they have official business in the area.

Emergency crews continue conducting damage assessments while volunteer groups assist residents with cleanup efforts.

Authorities warn that hazardous conditions remain in some locations due to unstable structures, debris, and damaged power infrastructure.

Severe Weather Continues Across the Midwest

The deadly tornado was part of a larger severe weather outbreak affecting portions of the Midwest and central United States.

Meteorologists continue evaluating damage patterns to determine the tornado’s official strength and classification.

Survey teams from the National Weather Service are expected to inspect the damage in the coming days.

For many residents across Jefferson County, recovery efforts are now underway as communities begin rebuilding after a powerful storm that turned deadly within minutes.