Tornado touches down near Peotone

A tornado touched down in Peotone about 7 p.m. Tuesday, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

"We've had spotter reports of a tornado on the ground," said meteorologist Anthony Preucil of the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

The tornado was expected to head northeast, Preucil said, and not approach Joliet. But Joliet was still in for stormy weather Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, he said.

"There are severe storms in the area," Preucil said. "We're expecting more."

In addition to spotters confirming the tornado touchdown near Peotone, there were "a lot of reports of funnel clouds," Preucil said.

Manhattan officials said in a post on the village's Facebook page that a tornado came through the area Tuesday.

"Emergency crews are currently out assessing the extent of the damage. So far initial reports are of downed trees and some wind related property damage," the post said. "We ask that the public stay away from damaged areas to allow emergency personnel room to do their do their jobs safely. We will provide updates as they are available."

There were also many without power, another post said.