Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn issued a state disaster proclamation after a tornado caused at least six deaths, hundreds of injuries and extensive damage to Harrisburg.

The proclamation covers parts of southern Illinois and has state resources and personnel responding to the disaster area. The Illinois Department of Transportation is assisting with the damage assessment and is also working with the state police to monitor the area.

Melaney Arnold, Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman, said work to repair the damage will begin once all areas are assessed.

The Little Egypt chapter of the American Red Cross is currently coordinating volunteer efforts and also accepting monetary donations. In addition, the organization is working with the First Baptist Church in Harrisburg to provide shelters to those displaced by the storm. The church is also collecting packaged foods, bottle water and clothing donations.

“I have met with local community leaders and first responders, and they know the state of Illinois is here to help as they recover from this disaster,” Quinn said in a press release.

The National Weather Service has given Wednesday’s tornado an EF4 rating. That’s the second-strongest rating given to tornadoes. The rating is assigned to storms based on damage they cause.

Meteorologist Rick Shanklin said the tornado was 200 yards wide with top winds up to 170 miles per hour. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that there have been two EF4-rated tornadoes in Illinois history during February since 1950. One in 1956 left six people dead and 20 injured. Another in 1959 had no deaths or injuries. Both tornadoes happened at night.

The six people killed in the tornado included four women and two men. Authorities weren’t releasing any names.