At 1:06 AM (CST), A small rope tornado touched down 3.5 miles SW of Pontiac. The storm gradually intensified as it progressively headed toward the Northwestern side of Pontiac. It strengthened into an EF4 tornado and hit Pontiac. The storm killed 29 people in Pontiac, and went on for Chicago. The tornado strengthened farther into a 205 mph EF5 tornado, wiping out several homes S of Coal City. The tornado gradually weakened and then dissipated E of Coal City.