'This is too real': Heartbreaking images of damage left by violent storms in Illinois; Update: 3 fatalities reported

Violent storms with damaging winds ripped through the Midwest today, leaving piles of debris and rubble in their path.

Here are pictures from several impacted communities in Illinois:

Horrific Damage being reported near Penoria, IL #ilwx #tornadooutbreak pic.twitter.com/xk8tzPGtfZ

— Weatherstorm.net (@wxstorm) November 17, 2013

https://twitter.com/ChrisKhoury182/status/402140427353985024

This may be EF5 damage. Washington, Illinois right now. Just wow. Credit: @BTSullivan91 pic.twitter.com/QePkDaxJqa

— Matt Coker (@StormCoker) November 17, 2013

Horrific damage in Washington, IL from storm headed our way. RT "@Alexandra_WMBD: Absolute destruction pic.twitter.com/nvgEyIyVo0"

— Matt McCutcheon (@matt_mccutcheon) November 17, 2013

Tornado damage in southern Illinois pic.twitter.com/ZoywLcZLDw

— agitator in chief (@soit_goes) November 17, 2013

This is too real! MT "@wxstorm: Unbelievable destruction of #tornado damage today in Washington, IL. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/KJfEdKE0VI”

— Justin Berk (@JustinWeather) November 17, 2013

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Extremely sad.

https://twitter.com/D_Rodge27/status/402150802032033794

https://twitter.com/SelenaLMartinez/status/402150485492125698

https://twitter.com/sjl_21/status/402152345020035072

To all the folks in Indiana & Illinois be safe. To all the journalists who are heading out to cover the damage, be careful. #stormcoverage

— Steven Albritton (@StevenAlbritton) November 17, 2013

Update:

Unfortunately, there have been three fatalities in Illinois reported as a result of today’s tornadoes:

UPDATE: There are now 3 confirmed fatalities in Washington County, Ill., after tornado slams Midwest: http://t.co/UGcMqcg3CC

— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) November 17, 2013