A series of devastating tornadoes blew across parts of theMidwest yesterday, sending residents of Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas,Missouri and Illinois running for cover as high winds overturnedtractor trailers, uprooted trees and decimated structures.

The National Weather Service said a destructivetornado tore across northern Illinois, where one person was killedand eight others were injured. A restaurant in Rochelle, Ill., wasdestroyed as workers and patrons huddled in the basement. They wererescued by the local fire department and crews are conducting asystematic search of debris in the area for other injured ortrapped individuals.

According to an NBC News report, 50 structures were damaged innearby Fairdale. Homes were leveled and every building in the townwas damaged.

The storms occurred ahead of a cold front advancing across thecountry. The FAA says that flights at O’Hare Airport areexperiencing excessive delays averaging anywhere from three to fourhours. Almost 900 flights were cancelled due to the weather onThursday according to FlightAware.com.

Property Claims Services says that tornadoes caused 37% of theinsured catastrophe losses from 1994-2013, and 2013 insured lossesin the U.S. totaled $10.3 billion according to Munich Re. Standardhomeowners and business insurance policies cover wind damage tostructures and their contents, including damage from tornadoes.Additional living expenses (ALE) for residents displaced by thetornadoes will be covered under homeowners’ policies.

According to The Weather Channel, tornadoes were also spotted inDonahue, Iowa; DeWitt and Clinton, Iowa; Peoria, Ill.; Rome, Ill.;and Walbridge, Ohio.

State Farm Insurance,headquartered in Bloomington, Ill., said it is still too early forany damage estimates. They are advising policyholders to:

• Contact their insurance company immediately by phone oronline.
• Take pictures of the damaged property. Keep notes and use aninventory list to help adjusters assess the damage.
• Remove all tree debris from the structure and place it on theground.
• If it is safe to do so, make temporary repairs to the home toprevent further damage. You may tarp your roof, cover brokenwindows with plywood or tarps, etc. Be sure to keep a record oftime spent and all receipts for work done on the property.
• If the power has gone out, unplug any small electrical items toprevent electrical spike damage.
• Do not dispose of any damaged contents until authorized by anagent or claim representative.
• Contact licensed vendors for repair estimates. Make sure theestimates are signed by the vendor and approved by your adjuster oragent before having major damage repaired.
• Listen /obey local authorities.
• Use safety precautions when removing debris.

As the storm moves east, the East Coast is bracing for severethunderstorms from New York down to the Gulf Coast.

April is the third most active month for tornadoes, with anaverage of 155. May is the highest, averaging 276, and June is thesecond highest with an average of 243.