Breaking... Bears-Ravens game suspended for inclement weather (updated)

[icymist]

3. Tornadoes, damaging storms hit Illinois (Related)

Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest Sunday, causing damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter and even prompting officials at Soldier Field in Chicago to evacuate the stands and delay the Bears game.

The community of Washington in central Illinois appeared particularly hard hit, and a state official said that emergency crews were racing to the area amid reports that people had been trapped in buildings. But communications were spotty - many calls made by to the area by The Associated Press could not be completed - and Patti Thompson of the Illinois Department of Emergency Management said it was difficult to get information from the scene.

The Springfield area experienced a series of tornado warnings during the late-morning hours. A tornado watch remained in effect for central Illinois until 4 p.m. as high winds continued to sweep through the region. No serious damage was reported in the Springfield area.

As the storm darkened downtown Chicago after noon, the Chicago Bears game was delayed and fans were ordered out of the stands and players led off the field.

Read more: http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x825431990/Midwest-under-high-storm-threat#ixzz2kvzeyqT1