The Nation : Powerful Storms Rip Through Midwest

Powerful thunderstorms pummeled the Midwest, blowing over a barn and mobile homes in Indiana, damaging schools near Peoria, Ill., and delaying flights at Chicago airports, including that of Vice President George Bush. High winds damaged roofs at two elementary schools and a high school in the Peoria area in central Illinois, officials said. The National Weather Service said it had several reports of tornadoes nearby but had not confirmed them. “There were no injuries, just a lot of scared people,” said Capt. Peter Gerontes of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department. Strong winds or a tornado blew a barn across Indiana 63 in the west-central part of the state, overturned mobile homes and uprooted trees, officials said. In the Chicago area, five people were reported struck by lightning, and one remained hospitalized in stable condition. At O’Hare airport, the storm caused major delays and canceled flights. Air Force Two, with Bush aboard, had its landing delayed by about 20 minutes.