WINDS CAUSE HEAVY DAMAGE IN CAIRO, ILL.

CAIRO, Ill. -- What was described as the apparent "tail end" of a tornado wreaked havoc on a seven-block area of Cairo, Ill., Friday afternoon.

Cairo Police Chief Jim Wright said 18 houses were damaged at about 3:15 p.m. when powerful winds struck a neighborhood west of Sycamore Avenue. About six of the houses between 21st and 28th streets were badly damaged by what appeared to be "the tail end of a tornado," said Wright.

"I thought maybe it was a wind surge, but then a couple of people we talked to said it seemed more like a tornado," he said. "It hit and was gone pretty quick."

Several neighboring law enforcement and fire departments responded to the area, helping to direct traffic and contain one fire that broke out immediately following the wind storm. Wright said a number of power lines were downed.

No deaths or serious injuries were reported, but several minor injuries were reported.