A dangerous storm system rolled through the Midwest yesterday evening, killing at least one person and levelling houses and businesses northwest of Chicago, local officials said.

One person was killed and at least seven people were injured in the tiny town of Fairdale, Illinois, located some 120 km from Chicago, according to local media, citing emergency officials.

Damage was also reported in and around Rochelle, Illinois, about 130 km west of Chicago, according to Rochelle Councilman Bill Hayes. The Red Cross opened a shelter in the town of about 10,000 people, and more than a dozen state agencies were providing help, according to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Nearly 900 flights were cancelled at O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport because of the weather, the airport said.

Storm spotters reported two tornadoes each in Peoria and Lee, Illinois, along with twisters in Clinton and Scott, Iowa, according to the weather service.

The storm brought with it strong winds as well as golf ball- and baseball-sized hail in the Midwest and Northeast, the weather service said.

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