A tornado warning and severe storm left 40K Chicago residents without power, damaging their homes, and trees littering the road.
While Chicago residents were alerted to a tornado warning, the storm was later categorized as a supercell thunderstorm. The storm traveled in from west to east, traveling over 100 miles and moving from Elgin over to Lake Michigan. With 90-mile-per-hour winds and tornado-like conditions last night, Chicago got a taste of intense summer storms as hail fell in heavy disarray. Flash floods last night have now caused a series of fallen trees and downed power lines along with residential damage across the city.
During the storm, travelers at O’Hare had to shelter in place as a ground stop was issued as they waited for the conditions to improve. At the Schaumburg Regional Airport, a few grounded planes were overturned due to winds, while a single lightning strike started a fire at a suburban Northbrook home. Now, several Metra lines are currently suspended due to the storm.
In the suburb of Bellwood, one apartment complex is now without a roof and over 30+ families are without a place to live. The Red Cross is at the local Bellwood Village Hall to help displaced residents find a place to stay.
Now, more than 44,000 ComEd customers are reportedly still without power. Over in Lincoln Park, a car dealership was damaged.
As for the power outage, ComEd is working to restore power to all residents impacted.
We will update as new information becomes available.
[Featured photo from @barrybutler9]