A severe weather system slammed northern Illinois and the Chicago area Monday night, producing severe
thunderstorms, wind gusts of up to 75 mph in some areas, and tornadoes. Warning sirens were heard throughout DuPage County after 9 p.m. As many as 10 tornadoes were reported in the Chicago area Monday night, including one outside O’Hare Airport.
Downed tree limbs and branches scattered on streets, sidewalks and yards were commonplace across the area. There also were reports of trees being uprooted and roofs being blown off.
Downed wires and trees forced I-55 to be shut down between River Road and U.S. Route 6 for several hours between Monday night and Tuesday. At one point, ComEd reported that over 400,000 customers were without power Monday night. However, a
ComEd spokesperson, in an interview with Fox 32 Chicago, said crews had restored power to 43 percent of those affected as of Tuesday morning, with 80 percent expected to be restored at some point on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago reported Tuesday morning it had six damage survey teams out surveying damage across
northern Illinois and northwest Indiana during the day. The NWS noted that 29 different paths of potential
damage were going to be investigated Tuesday and in the coming days to identify potential tornado tracks.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
