A major storm in the Midwest has caused major damage across the region, while it was also been confirmed that there has been one death and at least sixteen injured at the Wood Dale Prairie Festival in Illinois after a tent collapsed due to the high winds. Wood Dale Mayor Nunzio Pulice said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and we are also praying for all those who were injured or affected by this tragedy.”

11-year old Bella Salgado described the scene: “The big huge white tent over there flew out over and then I screamed and I was crying and I was really, really scared.  It was terrifying.  And then seeing everyone on the floor hurt….There was a girl from my school, her dad, I think he was dead,” Bella said. “I’m never going to forget it. … It sounded like terror. … So much thunder and lightning.”

Lollapalooza, which is held at Grant Park in downtown Chicago, was also forced to evacuate and shut the festival down until 4pm, sending attendees to three pre-established evacuation shelters. All across the region there were reports of tennis-ball sized hail, several tornadoes touched down on the ground, over 200,000 homes and businesses suffered from power outages, and reports of even more damage continue to run rampant today.

Our condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this horrible tragedy.

[via The Chicago Tribune and The Weather Channel]