Strong Storms Rip Into Chicago Area

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Powerful storms swept into the Chicago area shortly before sundown on Wednesday.

All evening a series of storm and tornado warnings were issued. A few tornadoes were reported far west of the Chicago area, while most of the city and suburbs were hit with heavy downpours and intense lightning.

Late Wednesday in Pontiac a tornado damaged several buildings, including a trailer park and a gas station. There were no immediate word on injuries.

In the town of Seneca, police and fire responded to a building collapse, but could not provide details. There were reports that four people may have been trapped inside. However, nobody was injured.

Shortly after 8 p.m., fans at the Copa America match between Colombia and Chile were told to leave their seats and take shelter in the lower level concourse due to severe lightning and thunder. The game was scheduled to resume shortly after 10 p.m.

Rain was falling heavily in the Loop around 8:30 p.m., making travel very difficult with low visibility and high winds. More than two inches of rain hand fallen in several areas, with more on the way, CBS 2's Mary Kay Kleist reports.

Just before 9 p.m., Navy Pier was closed due to the storm.

Some minor flooding was reported in Palatine.

ComEd reported 6,000 customers were without power.

The first reports of severe weather started around 7:15 in towns far west of metro Chicago.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down east of Amboy in Lee County.

Robin Tanamachi took this photo of a tornado near the town of La Moille.

The storms quickly moved east, with tornado warnings issued for DeKalb County around 7:30 p.m.

Tornado sirens were sounding in Waterman around 7:45 p.m.