By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

While those in Livingston County knew they were under a tornado watch for the majority of Tuesday, it was primarily spared, as a tornado hit Ottawa and a small neighboring village in LaSalle County.

Governor Bruce Rauner held a press conference in Naplate, the village of just a little more than 500 residents, Wednesday morning, to address and survey the damage.

“Looks like 64 homes have pretty much been destroyed. Terrible tragedy.  Five residents of a nursing home here just west of town were injured. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries. Very tragically, an elderly gentleman, 76-years-old, was killed by a falling tree last night over in South Ottawa. We have to count our blessings. This could have been way worse. The warning systems worked well, people were notified and it is wonderful the way the residents in the community helped each other. They got to elderly residents and gave them a warning that the tornadoes were coming. People got into their basements. We’ve been visiting with the families and they’re all helping each other volunteer,” Rauner said.