The NWS Chicago office sent a team to the area Monday to investigate the damage and confirm that it was caused by a tornado. The touchdown was put at about 4:37 p.m. CDT. No tornado warnings had been issued. An EF1 tornado produces winds between 86 mph and 110 mph.

While serious, the damage was not as bad as early reports, according to statements from the Jasper County emergency management office and its director Karen Wilson.

The NWS reports the damage was confined to a path about 100 yards long, and the tornado, which had a maximum width of 20 to 33 yards, lifted as it moved across U.S. 231.

Rough damage estimates were put at between $60,000 and $100,000.

A video of the tornado was captured by Rensselaer resident Joann Skinner who was watching the storm with family members. During part of the tape, the storm looks much like a furious, transparent "dust devil," but at one point the funnel slows, spins more swiftly and picks up a great amount of dirt. It can clearly be seen blowing the roof off the insurance building.