U.S. News: One dead in Illinois as tornadoes roar across Ohio Valley

U.S. News Stories from NBC reporters around the country.

One dead in Illinois as tornadoes roar across Ohio Valley Mar 23rd 2012, 21:23 WAVE-TV Several homes were badly damaged when a tornado touched down in Fern Creek, Ky., near Louisville. By NBC News and msnbc.com staff A woman was killed Friday when her mobile home rolled over during a severe storm in southern Illinois, authorities said. Jefferson County, Ill., Coroner Eddie Joe Marks said two other people were injured when the 60-year-old woman's home toppled as heavy rain, hail, winds and possible tornadoes swept through the Opdyke area. It wasn't immediately clear whether a tornado hit the home. The National Weather Service reported at least six confirmed tornadoes and relayed reports of numerous other unconfirmed twisters as storms moved across southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Several homes were damaged in Fern Creek, Ky., near Louisville, including at least two that had their roofs torn off, NBC News reported. Follow @msnbc_us Joe Sullivan, a meteorologist with the weather service, told the Weather Channel that the damage was consistent with a tornado with winds of 110 mph or even higher.  No casualties were immediately reported in the Kentucky storms, Jody Johnson, a spokeswoman for Louisville MetroSafe, told NBC News. Even before Friday's tornadoes, 2012 was off to an unusually active beginning of tornado season. Greg Forbes, a severe weather specialist for the Weather Channel, said 117 tornadoes had been confirmed this month through Thursday, well above the 10-year March average of 87. January and February were also above their 10-year averages. "Keep in mind we are only at the beginning of the tornado season," Forbes said. The Weather Channel The peak months for tornadoes are usually April, May and June, and "while we do not know exactly how active the rest of the tornado season will be, you should make sure you are prepared," he said. The Weather Channel: Tornado risk by month and location John Baiata, Ioanna Dafermou and Ziad Jaber of NBC News contributed to this report by M. Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. More content from msnbc.com and NBC News: Geraldo Rivera blames hoodie for Trayvon's death For alleged Afghan shooter, death penalty unlikely Civil War relic thief engaged in 'heartbreaking' destruction Students walk out in Trayvon Martin protest Foxhole atheists plan to rock the base at Fort Bragg Red Tape: Credit bureaus upsell ID theft victims Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook Media files: imagesizer?file=alex-johnsonE140CFDD-2A28-2968-A4EE-D429B9C69A19.jpg&width=400 (image/jpeg) imagesizer?file=alex-johnsonE4A1B313-62D7-1073-523B-B838F94585EC.jpg&width=400 (image/jpeg)

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