A round of fast-moving severe thunderstorms plowed through the Chicago area Sunday afternoon, producing hurricane-force winds and prompting tornado warnings in parts of Northwest Indiana. A tornado watch was issued throughout most the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana for much of the afternoon.

Strong winds uprooted trees, downed power lines, and damaged several homes, splitting one in half in Roselawn.

The Tornado Watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for dozens of Illinois counties such as Grundy, Kendall, Kankakee, La Salle and Will. Indiana counties that are under the watch include Newton, Benton, Warren and Tippecanoe, among others.

About one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch of rain were forecast at lower elevations Monday, but mountain areas could exceed half an inch, according to the National Weather Service.

Worst part of the storm should hit Middle Tennessee after 10 p.m. Sunday with winds, rain and chance of tornadoes

The tornado watch is in effect till 7 p.m. for Chicago, the surrounding south and west suburbs and northwest Indiana. The National Weather Service warns of tornadoes, hail the size of ping-pong balls and 70 mph winds.

Forecasters warn of widespread damaging winds, very large hail and tornadoes, from Texas to the East Coast starting on Sunday.

The National Weather Service said a system that battered parts of the Midwest through the weekend could bring hail, thunderstorms and tornadoes.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 5:48 p.m. EDT in effect until 6:45 p.m. EDT for Ionia, Montcalm and Newaygo counties.