Several Illinois counties are under a tornado watch as a storm moves northward through the state.

The National Weather Service will assess damage Thursday to determine if any tornadoes touched down. More than a dozen Tornado Warnings were issued in central Illinois on Wednesday.

Sharps, including needles, syringes and lancets, collected from private citizens are a household waste. Applicants may be eligible for funding of up to $35,000 to cover expenses incurred in collecting, storing and disposing of used sharps.

Tornadoes are sweeping across areas of the South and Midwest of the United States, leaving a trail of destruction and tens of thousands of homes without power. Flash flooding is expected to follow the violent storms as the National Weather Service warns of a threat to life.

A wide-reaching storm spawned several intense and violent tornadoes Wednesday, and threatens near-nonstop rainfall Thursday that could trigger once-in-a-lifetime flooding. Follow here for live updates.

Tornadoes touched down in Washington County near Potosi in Missouri, and in Bond County near Greenville in Illinois.

On Your Side Meteorologist Jim Castillo will be monitoring the text line and answering your questions. Text us at 314-444-5355.

At least 1 dead, 10 hurt as 'dangerous' system hits much of U.S., spins up tornadoes and flood risk