Tornadoes ripped through the Midwest Thursday leaving two women dead in the small Illinois town of Fairdale.

Geradine Schultz, 67, and Jacqueline Klosa, 69, were confirmed as fatalities by Governor Bruce Rauner.

Rockford Fire Department division chief Matthew Knott told NBC Chicago the town was “absolutely devastated” by the tornado.  Knott said of the 75 homes in the town, 17 were completely destroyed and no home was spared significant damage.

At least seventeen tornadoes were confirmed in the outbreak and weather officials are investigating others.  One tornado left a 22-mile path through Ogle County according to disaster management coordinator Tom Richter.

That twister destroyed the home of Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle.  Fortunately, the sheriff’s family was out of town at the time of the storm.

One of the places heavily damaged by the storm was a small family-owned farm and zoo in Belvidere.  The Sommerfield Zoo lost two emus and a fawn.    Sheds, barns and other structures were destroyed including a $20,000 set of fencing.

“It’s amazing that’s all we lost. We’re very fortunate,” owner Tammy Anderson told the Chicago Tribune. “We’re just overwhelmed. I’m not sure where to start.”