Severe weather struck the Great Lakes area this weekend, killing four, and destroying 50 homes as thunderstorms and tornado ravaged several areas in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

AP reports that the Lake Township region in northwest Ohio was hard hit. Several people were taken to hospitals and authorities, searching through the wreckage are reluctant to declare anyone "missing" at this point.

The area's Lake High School gymnasium was severely damaged, and it's cafeteria completely destroyed as well, and the district's school buses were thrown about the school's parking lot by high winds.

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In rural Illinois, the National Weather Service has confirmed tornado in the towns of Lostant, Streator, Dwight, and Buckingham, all in an area 80 to 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Meteorologist Charles Mott told AP that a survey team is currently investigating a fifth suspected tornado site in Elmwood, some 100 miles further southwest.

With tornado season upon us, do you know what to do if you are caught by surprise by a tornado? Read Ryan Campbell's Dealing With a Tornado and acquaint yourself with some tornado basics.