ComEd has reported that more than 200,000 customers are currently without power as severe storms caused widespread damage across the Chicago area. The storms have led to significant disruptions, including the shutdown of I-55 between U.S. 6 and River Road.
In northwest Indiana, a 44-year-old woman named Laura Nagel tragically lost her life after a tree fell on her home in Cedar Lake.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is dispatching teams to survey the damage, a process that may take several days. NWS staff in Romeoville had to shelter in place due to a tornado warning. Meteorologist Kevin Doom mentioned that radar data indicates around two dozen potential areas where tornadoes may have touched down.
As of 4:30 a.m., ComEd reported that 230,420 customers were affected by power outages. Residents are waking up to assess and clean up the damage caused by the storms.
Trees and downed wires have caused the closure of I-55 between U.S. 6 and River Road, which may remain closed for 12-24 hours. Illinois State Police reported that several vehicles were entangled in downed power lines, and one person was transported to the hospital with injuries.
The damage is widespread from the city to the suburbs, with numerous tree limbs and branches scattered across sidewalks, yards, and roadways. In Crestwood, severe weather caused significant damage from 135th and 137th streets and between Central and Kedzie avenues in Robbins.
In Shorewood, a tornado reportedly hit, causing fallen trees to cover yards and partially collapse a roof. Neighbors used chainsaws to clear the trees, and cleanup crews arrived soon after. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office reported a tornado along I-88 near Route 47.
Winds reaching up to 100 mph were recorded in Homer Glen and New Lenox. In Norridge, strong winds uprooted a tree that fell onto the roof of a home.
The Chicago Fire Department responded to several incidents involving porch collapses and downed trees. While there were no injuries reported in those incidents, there was significant tree damage near 70th and Campbell. At 820 North Pulaski in Chicago, a building collapsed, but it’s unclear if there were any injuries.
There were also tornado reports at both Midway and O’Hare airports. A possible tornado near O’Hare was caught on camera Monday night.
Due to the storms, Chicago’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is advising residents to limit water use, issuing an Overflow Action Day alert, which requests that water be used only for essential purposes.