SUMMARY: Damage is seen early Wednesday morning Feb. 29, 2012 in the town of Harveyville in Wabaunsee County Kansas after an apparent tornado passed through the town Tuesday night. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback declared a state of emergency late Tuesday after an apparent tornado struck Harveyville, part of a powerful storm system that pounded the state's midsection. (AP Photo/Matthew Fowler, Gazette)
STORY:
HARRISBURG, Illinois --- Six people were killed and the death toll could still rise from a tornado that tore a path of destruction through Harrisburg shortly before 5 a.m. today.
The Saline County Sheriff’s Department put early estimates at more than 100 people injured and 250 to 300 homes destroyed. Aerial views showed what looked like the work of a bombing. Emergency workers from across Southern Illinois were sent to help the battered city of about 9,100.
Many power lines are down and some gas lines leaking. Telephone services are knocked out for many and cellular telephone traffic at times is overloaded. Utility crews are on-scene and working. Several streets are blocked to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic and residents are advised to treat all power lines as being live.
Anyone not involved in the emergency response is asked to stay away from Harrisburg until further notice.
A shelter has been opened at First Baptist Church in Harrisburg at 204 N. Main Street.
The Harrisburg Medical Center sustained damage in the storm, but remained open and was treating some of the injured, according to Vince Ashley, CEO of the 78-bed hospital. No one was injured at the medical center, he said.
Northeast of Harrisburg, Cheryl Lovellette, a dispatcher with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, said no fatalities were reported in Ridgway, but St. Joseph Church was destroyed and the village’s American Legion severely damaged in the storm. Minor injuries were reported.
Lovellette said Ridgway’s mayor issued a disaster declaration, and volunteers with debris removal equipment and chainsaws still are needed to assist in relief efforts. There is no power in the town of about 900, although a massive police, fire and emergency medical response is engaged.
South of Harrisburg, The Massac County Sheriff’s Department reported damage to trees and buildings near Metropolis. Trees blocked some roadways but most have since been removed. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Southwest of Harrisburg, the Pulaski County sheriff’s department confirmed some storm damage in Mounds and Mound City. County EMS crews were dispatched to assist in relief efforts in Harrisburg.
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