Live weather in Chicago: Tornado reported in Streator, Ill., with significant damage; warnings issued in SW suburbs
Multiple tornadoes have been reported in the far west and southwest suburbs of Chicago on Thursday evening as a line of severe storms spawned an apparent tornado outbreak.
A Tornado Warning is in effect for Lake County, Indiana, until 8 p.m. and for Porter County, Indiana, until 8:30 p.m.
If you are in the area of a tornado warning, seek shelter in a basement or interior room in the lowest level of your home immediately.
Large tornadoes have been reported on the ground in Streator, Illinois, and in nearby Reading, Illinois. Illinois State Police reported major structural damage on the south side of Streator.
Police officers and neighbors were seen rescuing at least one man from a home that collapsed in Streator. Several other homes in Streator had significant damage.
So far, 10 reports of tornadoes have been made, in Low Point, Ancona, Ransom and Reddick in Illinois; three reports of a tornado in Streator, Illinois; and two reports of a tornado in Dwight, Illinois.
A tornado touchdown was also reported in Union Grove, Wisconsin, which is west of Racine in southeastern Wisconsin.
There have been reports of major storm damage in the path of these storms from west to east, including collapsed buildings, and reports of baseball-sized hail.
A confirmed deadly tornado emergency was issued in Washburn, Illinois, before it weakened into a warning that traveled into Streator and Dwight.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kane County until 8 p.m.
A Tornado Watch is in effect for the entire Chicago area, including Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, McHenry, De Kalb, Kankakee, Lake, La Salle, Kendall, Livingston, Lee, Ogle, Will and Winnebago counties in Illinois and Benton, Jasper, Newton, Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 9 p.m., and for La Porte County, Indiana, until 1 a.m. CT.
A rare tornado emergency was issued just outside of LaSalle County for a short time Thursday afternoon, for a large and strong tornado on the ground. The National Weather Service very rarely issues tornado emergencies, said Yeomans.
The Chicago area was upgraded to a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms. The National Weather Service warns that the threat for tornadoes is notably higher Thursday than typical during severe weather events, and the threat of more dangerous and violent tornadoes is also enhanced. It is very important to be weather aware Thursday, and prepared to seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued when there is potential for violent tornadoes.
This is Chicago’s first 4 out of 5 risk since July 15, 2024, when the area saw a record tornado outbreak with 32 touchdowns. This level of risk is typically seen once every two years.
A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire Chicago area and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 11 p.m.
A Flood Advisory is in effect for DeKalb and Ogle counties in Illinois until 10 p.m. and for Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 10:45 p.m.
The greatest danger for tornadoes and severe storms is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., as heat, humidity, and strong winds in the atmosphere combine to create an environment favorable for significant severe weather.
These storms have the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail, and violent tornadoes, which NWS defines as the potential for EF-4 and EF-5 strength..
A ground stop has been issued at O’Hare International Airport until 7:15 p.m., grounding all flights headed to O’Hare due to the storms.
How to stay safe during a tornado warning
The NWS issues a tornado watch when conditions are right for a tornado to form in an area, and a tornado warning when a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you should take immediate steps to protect yourself, your family and your pets. When a tornado warning is issued:
- Immediately seek shelter in your basement or the lowest floor of your home or building in an interior room without windows. In general, put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible, and do everything you can to avoid windows.
- In homes or public buildings, if you do not have or have access to a basement, go to a small interior room like a bathroom, closet or interior hallway on the lowest level you can access. Close all doors to the hallway for more protection and if possible get under something sturdy. The National Weather Service advises using things like pillows, blankets and quilts to protect yourself from flying debris, or if you have a motorcycle or bicycle helmet you can wear that.
- If you are in a mobile home, leave in advance of the weather and take shelter for the duration of a storm in a sturdy building.
- If you are outside, in a vehicle, or don’t have access to a sturdy building, get into the nearest ditch, low spot or underground culvert, lay down flat on your belly and cover your head with your hands for protection. Do not take shelter under highway overpasses; tunneling effects can actually increase wind speeds.
- In general, stay away from doors, windows, outside walls and protect your head.
It’s advisable to keep your phone charged in anticipation of severe weather and put together a small kit with water, flashlights, a radio, and any vital medications in case you need to take shelter for a longer period.
Chicago area still cleaning up after Wednesday storms
All this is happening on the heels of a day where storms wreaked havoc all around the Chicago area, pulling down trees and power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power.
ComEd has reported over 5,600 active outages as of Thursday morning, with nearly 200,000 customers impacted.
ComEd expected 80% of the outages to be restored by 11 p.m. this coming Saturday. Customers can check for alerts on the ComEd website.
Meanwhile, large trees came down all around the Chicago area. There were also reports of lightning striking a house in Orland Park, and strong winds tearing parts of a roof off a building in Stickney.
Conditions improve Friday with sunshine returning, as well as lower humidity. The nice weather continues into the weekend. There’s an additional chance for thunderstorms late Saturday; those storms could turn severe with hail and wind as the main threats.
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