A tornado has left a trail of destruction in the US midwest, killing at least five people.
Hailstones the size of tennis balls were reported, with hundreds of people said to be injured.
Buildings in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky were destroyed and vehicles overturned.
Homes were destroyed by the tornado
Onlookers said it resembled a 'war zone'
Sky News reports that more than 60 tornadoes struck, with 80mph winds.
Washington resident Michael Perdun told AP: "I stepped outside and I heard it coming.
"My daughter was already in the basement, so I ran downstairs and grabbed her, crouched in the laundry room and all of a sudden I could see daylight up the stairway and my house was gone."
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(01 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: The damage is surveyed along Elgin Avenue after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(02 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A firefighter searches through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(03 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Debris covers the area after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(04 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Residents sort through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(05 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Jeremy Janssen of Mackinaw Fire Department walks through debris along Elgin Avenue after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(06 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A home sits in ruin along Elgin Avenue after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(07 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A firefighter searches through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(08 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Jeremy Janssen of Mackinaw Fire Department marks a vehicle amongst the debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(09 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Debris covers the area after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(10 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A firefighter walks through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(11 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A firefighter searches through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(12 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: A firefighter searches through debris after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(13 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Debris covers the area after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Illinois(14 of56)
WASHINGTON, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Debris covers the area after a tornado struck on November 17, 2013 in Washington, Illinois. Several tornadoes touched down across the Midwest today with at least three people reported dead in Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of56)
Washington, Ill., firefighters stand in the middle of Devonshire Street on the North side of Washington, Ill., after a tornado leveled at least fifty homes, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. High winds that followed the tornado are causing danger as homeowners and emergency workers try to search homes. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(16 of56)
Sunday's tornado caused major damage to Fire Station No. 6 in Kokomo on Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo / Kokomo Tribune, Kelly Lafferty) (credit:AP)
(17 of56)
Dave Huffman sorts through things in the living room of his house that was destroyed by the tornado at 1612 Cranbrook Drive in Cedar Crest subdivision in Kokomo, Ind., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo / Kokomo Tribune, Tm Bath) (credit:AP)
(18 of56)
Winston Howard and son William Howard check through debree in front of their house on Meadowbrook in Cedar Crest after the tornado came through in Kokomo, Ind., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo / Kokomo Tribune, Tm Bath) (credit:AP)
(19 of56)
An overturned car rests on top of tree branches and other rubble near the destroyed home of Curt Zehr about a mile northeast of Washington, Ill., on Sunday, Nov. 17. Intense thunderstorms spawning tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (credit:AP)
(20 of56)
A fire truck and other vehicles lineup near what was left of Curt Zehrs home about a mile northeast of Washington, Ill., on Sunday, Nov. 17. Intense thunderstorms spawning tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (credit:AP)
(21 of56)
Friends and neighbors comb the rubble of Curt Zehr's home just outside Washington, Ill., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Zehr's wife and adult son took shelter in the basement at the base of the pictured stairs as a tornado destroyed their farm house. They were not injured. The tornado cut a path of destruction through Washington. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (credit:AP)
(22 of56)
Residents embrace after they discovered their home was destroyed when a tornado and thunderstorms tore through a portion of Washington, Ill., on Sunday, Nov.17, 2013. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson) (credit:AP)
(23 of56)
A man stands near a pickup that belonged to farmer Curt Zehr after a tornado blew through Zehr's farm on Sunday, Nov. 17. 2013. The farm destroyed Zehr's home just outside Washington, Ill., and caused extensive damage in the town. Zehr's wife and son were at home at the time but were not injured. Dozens of Zehr's friends and neighbors helped look through the rubble. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (credit:AP)
(24 of56)
A resident of Washington, Ill., surveys the damage to her home and neighbors after a tornado and severe thunderstorms swept through a portion of the town on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson) (credit:AP)
(25 of56)
Residents search through a neighborhood in Washington, Ill., after a tornado and strong thunderstorms swept through the north part of the town destroying several homes on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson) (credit:AP)
(26 of56)
A neighborhood in the Devonshire subdivision of Washington, Ill., is left in ruins after a tornado tore through the northern part of the town on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson) (credit:AP)
(27 of56)
Paul Tubbs of Washington, Ill., looks over the remains of his home on Devon Lane in Washington after a tornado tore through the north part of Washington on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson) (credit:AP)
(28 of56)
A news cameraman shoots video of the rubble of an auto parts store destroyed by a tornado in Washington, Ill., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Illinois State Police says everal people were inside at the time the tornado hit but all escaped uninjured. The tornado cut a path of destruction through Washington. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(29 of56)
Paducah firefighters stretch caution tape around New Life Tabernacle Church in Paducah, Ky., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Storms that created tornadoes hit the region including Brookport, Ill. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(30 of56)
Maranda Souders, 37, of Metropolis, Ill., picks up a crystal bowl and cup while searching her grandmother's home in Brookport, Ill., after a tornado hit the small town Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(31 of56)
A firefighter operates a chainsaw to clear a tree from a street in Brookport, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the town Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(32 of56)
Residents look at torando debris in Brookport, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013.A tornado ripped through the small town in far southern Illinois. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(33 of56)
Sheet metal from a home is seen wrapped around a tree in Brookport, Ill., after tornado hit the small town Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
(34 of56)
A Washington homeowner moves debris next to a set of stairs that once lead to the second floor of his home in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(35 of56)
Tornado victims sift through an overturned mobile home in Brookport, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. A tornado ripped through the small far southern Illinois town.(AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(36 of56)
An elderly woman is escorted through tornado debris in Brookport, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. The small far southern Illinois town was hit by severe weather. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
Severe Weather Illinois(37 of56)
A stuffed bear sits on a road in Brookport, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. A tornado ripped through the small far southern Illinois town. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) (credit:AP)
(38 of56)
A mattress is wrapped around a stripped tree in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(39 of56)
Demolished homes and vehicles in the Devonshire Subdivision in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(40 of56)
Washington firefighters survey Devonshire Street on the North side of Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(41 of56)
A mattress is wrapped around a stripped tree on Devonshire Street on the North side of Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(42 of56)
A view of part of Washington, Ill. is seen Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 after a tornado moved through the area. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter and even prompting officials at Soldier Field in Chicago to evacuate the stands and delay the Bears game. (AP Photo/Alex Kareotes) (credit:AP)
(43 of56)
Richard Miller of Washington, Illinois salvages items from his brothers home, after a tornado leveled a subdivision on the North side of Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(44 of56)
Washington homeowners and friends try to salvage items from homes along Devonshire Street on the North side of Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(45 of56)
A view of part of Washington, Ill. is seen from Mackenzie Street in Washington, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 after a tornado moved through the area. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter and even prompting officials at Soldier Field in Chicago to evacuate the stands and delay the Bears game. (AP Photo/Alex Kareotes) (credit:AP)
(46 of56)
A tree was pulled out of the ground by the roots, collapsing onto a house after a tornado left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Il.,Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
(47 of56)
Chuck Phillips looks out at the destruction that tore off part of his roof and left houses around him destroyed after a tornado left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Il.,Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
(48 of56)
Ray Baughman embraces family shortly after his home was destroyed by a tornado that left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Il., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
(49 of56)
Josh Ramsey recovers items from a house of a family friend after a tornado left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Ill., hitting right about noon Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
(50 of56)
A mattress is wrapped around a stripped tree in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(51 of56)
East Peoria resident Billy Vestal evacuates with his daughter, Lillian Vestal, 3, after a tornado damaged the area near Chestnut Road in East Peoria, Il.,Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Justin Wan) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
(52 of56)
An Ameren Illinois worker walks past homes looking for gas and electrical hazards in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(53 of56)
A Washington homeowner moves debris next to a set of stairs that once lead to the second floor of his home in Washington, Ill., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley) (credit:AP)
(54 of56)
Webster Groves firefighters Chris Manita, center, and Matt Grossenhieder climb over a tree that fell on a house on Clydehurst Drive in Webster Groves, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. The residents of the house were home at the time the tree fell but were not injured. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across a number of Midwestern states Sunday, causing damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter and even prompting officials at Soldier Field in Chicago to evacuate the stands and delay the Bears game. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, David Carson) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT (credit:AP)
(55 of56)
A bulldozer moves rubble and debris from a church on Kentucky Street in Downtown Caraway, Ark. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, during cleanup efforts after the previous night's EF-1 tornado that damaged and destroyed several buildings in the small eastern Craighead County town. (AP Photo/The Jonesboro Sun, Rob Holt) (credit:AP)
(56 of56)
Jerry Murphy (left) and his son-in-law Jesse Floyd on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, salvage what they can from what is left of Murphy's business on Kentucky Street in Caraway, Ark after the previous night's EF-1 tornado. The business was one of many in the Caraway's downtown area that was damaged or destroyed by the Halloween twister. (AP Photo/The Jonesboro Sun, Rob Holt) (credit:AP)