A rapidly moving tornado touched down near the central Illinois communities of East Peoria and Washington, just before 11 am, confirmed the weather service officials. The tornado was moving northeast at 60 mph.

“A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” was spotted near Washington, Illinois, located about 145 miles southwest of Chicago, the National Weather Service said.

The NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens was delayed in the first quarter due to the threat. Spectators were warned to leave the stands and head for shelter.

TORNADO TOUCHDOWN! IN LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. MAJOR DAMAGE REPORTED. SEEK SHELTER NOW. @chicagotribune pic.twitter.com/TS5RKCFQuN

— PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) November 17, 2013

Much of the midwest is under alert for severe weather. “Our primary message is this is a dangerous weather system that has the potential to be extremely deadly and destructive,” said Laura Furgione, deputy director of the National Weather Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Get ready now.”

Tornado touches down in Illinois: http://t.co/hvoNNtisS4 No word on deaths, injuries, but tremendous damage reported pic.twitter.com/8fpc8MhDyi

— Yahoo (@Yahoo) November 17, 2013

With over 120 million people at risk, officials warn that many people may be caught off-guard from the rapidly moving storm system.

According to agency officials, parts of Illinois, Indiana, southern Michigan and western Ohio are at the greatest risk of seeing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds throughout the day Sunday. Many of the storms were expected to become supercells, with the potential to produce tornadoes, large hail and destructive winds.

Major #tornado damage reports from Illinois. This may do down as an historic weather day. PHOTO: @Alexandra_WMBD pic.twitter.com/ClCRzGCJ6P

— Steve Rudin ABC7 (@SteveRudinABC7) November 17, 2013

Video via Youtube