On Today's Date: Cleaning Up After A Tornado Outbreak

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By mid-November, the holiday season ahead and colder weather are usually top of mind.

But on Nov. 18, 2013, 11 years ago, residents were still in a state of shock following a Sunday swarm of severe weather from the Mississippi and Ohio valleys to parts of the Northeast.

An outbreak of 73 tornadoes tore across seven states over 11 hours on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. That included three deadly tornadoes, all in Illinois, two of which were rated EF4.

One of those EF4 tornadoes first touched down in East Peoria, Illinois, then swept through the town of Washington. Three people were killed and 121 were injured. Over 600 homes and 2,500 vehicles were destroyed in Washington, according to NOAA.

Another deadly EF4 tornado near New Minden, Illinois, swept a home completely off its foundation, claiming two lives. The Ohio River town of Brookport, Illinois, was hit by an EF3 tornado, killing three and damaging or destroying over 180 homes.

At the time, this was the fourth-largest November tornado outbreak on record in the U.S.

One thing I'll never forget about that outbreak was the sight of fans evacuating the stands at Chicago's Soldier Field as severe thunderstorms approached during the Bears NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens. Wind gusts to 75 mph were clocked on the city's near south side.

(MORE: Tornado Outbreaks Can Happen In Fall, Winter)