Authorities and residents are assessing damage after storms hit areas south of Chicago

© Jennifer Hall

At least three tornadoes tore through communities outside Chicago on Thursday, leveling homes, ripping down trees and power poles, as severe storms grounded flights and cut power to hundreds of thousands across the Midwest and Northeast.

© AP

The National Weather Service said it received more than a dozen reports of tornadoes Wednesday across northern Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois. Trees and utility wires were reported down across the region.