At least two people were killed and dozens of homes destroyed after up to a dozen tornadoes tore through Illinois and Indiana Tuesday night. In Kankakee County, Illinois, Tim Pinson and his wife Karen survived by sheltering in a pantry closet as the storm ripped their roof off and destroyed their attached garage.

Nine people reported minor injuries in Kankakee County, while an elderly couple died in Newton County, Indiana, where damage may have been worst. Indiana officials conducted search and rescue operations Wednesday morning as Sergeant Glen Fifield described parts of the state as "decimated" by the slow-moving storm system.

Forecasters expect lower tornado risk Wednesday though severe weather cannot be ruled out. The storm knocked out power for thousands across the Midwest and came just days after storms in Michigan and Oklahoma killed at least six people. Homeowners across affected areas began assessing damage Wednesday, with many properties appearing to be total losses.