Based on the extreme damage, the tornado was classified as a violent F4 on the Fujita scale by the National Weather Service.

[1] The worst damage occurred at the Parsons Company manufacturing plant, a parts supplier for Caterpillar Inc., which was leveled, losing its roof and outer walls.

[3] Large steel beams from the Parsons plant were blown approximately 3⁄4-mile (1.2 km) away, and many of the employees' cars tossed into nearby cornfields.

[3] Just as important, the early notice provided by the company storm-spotters allowed employees to reach the shelters before the storm struck.

They produced a half-hour-long video that was sold in the Peoria area to help raise funds for employees of the Parsons plant, most of whom had lost their cars and were either underinsured or not insured.