Storm system brings strong and damaging winds to Chicago area
CHICAGO (CBS) — Severe storms did not materialize in the Chicago area Tuesday as expected – but the system still brought strong and damaging winds that toppled trees and took out power.
Wind gusts reached 60 to 70 mph in Hampshire, Illinois, in Kane County; and 58 mph winds at the McHenry County Courthouse. These damaging winds were stirred up by a powerful storm system, but blew through the Chicago area and still caused damage without any rain, lighting, or thunder.
In Elgin, there was a report that a tree fell and landed on two people. They were reportedly taken to an area hospital.
In Des Plaines around 8:30 p.m., several trees and wires came down in a backyard at 420 Vassar Lane in Des Plaines. The Des Plaines Fire Department said at least one of the trees landed on top of a vehicle.
There were no reports of injuries in Des Plaines.
Northwest of the Chicago area, in Freeport just outside Rockford, rain and heavy winds caused the greatest problems. Heavy trees toppled over onto power lines, leaving several people without power.
Neighbors in Freeport said the rain came down heavy for about 10 minutes, and then the power went out.
More than 12,000 ComEd power customers lost power Tuesday night due to the wind.
Wednesday morning in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, crews worked to clear part of a downed tree on School and Paulina streets.
In the Gold Coast neighborhood, residents are waking up to a downed tree that damaged two cars. The tree was blocking the whole street before it was removed by Wednesday morning.
The risk for thunderstorms in the Chicago area was not over late Tuesday night – and the possibility that those storms may be strong or severe remained as of 10 p.m. A storm system was blasting through Western Illinois as of 10 p.m., and was headed toward the Chicago area.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until midnight for this storm system in Lee County, Illinois, just west of the CBS 2 viewing area. A separate new severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 11:15 p.m. for northwestern Winnebago County.
A new tornado warning was also issued late Tuesday night in the Janesville, Wisconsin area.
The storms also prompted a Tornado Watch that was in effect until midnight for several counties in Illinois.
The storms were much more destructive in neighboring Iowa. They spun up multiple tornadoes – including a twister that killed several people in the small town of Greenfield, Iowa. The small town was nearly leveled by het tornado – as homes and businesses were destroyed, trees were shredded, and cars were smashed.
The storms also pummeled much of Nebraska with torrential rain, high winds and large hail.
Drying out Thursday, Friday
Drier conditions are expected Wednesday and Thursday, but an active pattern returns Friday with a chance for strong to severe storms.
Additional shower chances are also forecast for Sunday and Monday.
TONIGHT: Thunderstorms likely. Some will be severe, with damaging winds and tornadoes. Low 60.
WEDNESDAY: A mix of clouds and sun. High 76.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny and very nice. Light winds and low humidity. High 83.
