A vehicle sits on a pile of debris from the destruction caused by a tornado that touched down in Washington, Illinois, November 17, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
A vehicle sits on a pile of debris from the destruction caused by a tornado that touched down in Washington, Illinois, November 17, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

A tornado that tore across the Midwest in the US on 17 November has killed six people while 40 are reportedly injured, the officials confirmed.

The Midwest tornado has wreaked extensive damage to houses and property in the city of Washington, Illinois.

The severe weather outbreak consisting of fast-moving storm system that triggered multiple tornadoes across the Ohio Valley saw widespread destruction as homes and vehicles are wiped off and a large part of the city has been left in rubble.

About 140,000 residents are without power as the tornadoes also inflicted intense thunderstorms.

"The whole neighborhood's gone. The wall of my fireplace is all that is left of my house," resident Michael Perdun told the ABC describing the extent of destruction caused by the tornadoes.

"I stepped outside and I heard it coming. My daughter was already in the basement, so I ran downstairs and grabbed her, crouched in the laundry room and all of a sudden I could see daylight up the stairway and my house was gone," he added.

The tornadoes have affected parts of the Ohio and middle Mississippi valley region and southern great lakes region. According to National Weather Service, while another widespread severe weather outbreak is not expected, showers and thunderstorms will continue to breakout through the Mid-West on 18 November.

However, the Storm Prediction Center has warned that a few of the storms across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast could be strong or severe.

Scroll down to view the photos of destruction in Washington, Illinois.

Combination of three video stills shows an active tornado as it touches down in Washington, Illinois. (Photo: Reuters)
Combination of three video stills shows an active tornado as it touches down in Washington, Illinois. (Photo: Reuters)
Tornado has left a large part of Washington in ruins. (Photo: Reuters)
Tornado has left a large part of Washington in ruins. (Photo: Reuters)
Extensive damage is pictured aftermath of tornado. (Photo: Reuters)
Extensive damage is pictured aftermath of tornado. (Photo: Reuters)
homes and vehicles have been damaged extensively by the tornado that claimed six lives. (Photo: Reuters)
Homes and vehicles have been damaged extensively by the tornado that claimed six lives. (Photo: Reuters)