Twisters kill and destroy on way through Midwest

UTICA, Ill. - Searchers pulled eight bodies from the rubble of a tornado-flattened tavern Wednesday, a day after dozens of twisters tore through the Midwest.

Mayor Fred Esmond said several people from a nearby mobile home park had gone to the basement of the Milestone Tap to seek refuge from the storm.

"They heard it on the radio. Some of them went to the tavern for safety, and it just so happened . . ." Esmond said, his voice trailing off.

Coroner Jody Bernard said the dead, who were found in various locations of the bar, ranged in age from 18 to 81.

The twister cut a wide swath of destruction in this small town 90 miles southwest of Chicago, turning homes and businesses into piles of brick and splintered wood. More than 10 people were taken to hospitals.

"It was like my brain wasn't comprehending what my eyes were seeing," said John Devore, who rushed his family into the basement and looked outside about 15 seconds later. "I said, "Well, it looks like the car's okay,' and then a split-second later, "Wait a minute. I'm not supposed to be able to see my car. Where the hell's my garage?' "

The tornado blew roofs off many buildings in Utica, including the grade school. A nearby chain-link fence was covered with insulation blown from homes. A birthday card signed "Love, Brian" rested against the fence.

On houses that officials had checked for injuries, marks of "OK" were spray-painted in orange and pink.

The heaviest damage occurred at the two-story Milestone Tap, a century-old watering hole. The crumbling sandstone foundation slowed rescuers' efforts as they gingerly dug through the sandy ruins. Five people were pulled alive from the rubble shortly after the storm hit. Authorities said they did not believe anyone was missing.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited Utica and other communities and declared four counties disaster areas. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials planned to visit today to see if they qualify for disaster relief.

The tornado that devastated Utica was one of dozens that smashed the Midwest. Indiana also was hard hit, and Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma reported twisters.

Authorities said three to six people suffered minor injuries in Jamestown, Ind., northwest of Indianapolis. Four semitrailer trucks were reported blown off highways.

More than 30 teenagers were attending a party at a skating arena in Kokomo, Ind., when a tornado tore off the roof. Employees saw the twister approaching in time to give a warning, and no injuries were reported.

"You know the rides they have at amusement parks, where the roof raises and then drops like it's going to hit you? That's what it was like," said Jill Foster, sponsor of one group of skaters.

A storm also collapsed a drugstore roof and destroyed at least one home in Joliet, outside Chicago, and damaged about 60 homes and a bank in Granville, near Utica, officials said.

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