Update: 24 Confirmed Tornadoes from Monday Alone, Tying the Daily Record

Breaking News: Storm Damage in Illinois and Surrounding Areas

July 16, 2024 - Following severe storms over the past two nights, the National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Chicago and surrounding areas are actively supporting the BWS Chicago office in conducting damage surveys. These surveys are expected to take several days to complete.

Power outages are widespread, and reports indicate that some neighborhoods may not have power restored until Friday at the latest. Our Breaking News team at TNW News is closely monitoring the situation, but thankfully, the NWS forecasts no more severe weather this week, providing a good window for cleanup efforts.

The storms have been particularly devastating in Illinois and surrounding Aurora counties. The Kane County Emergency Management Agency described last night’s events as a tornado outbreak, causing significant damage. This morning, they released a statement detailing the impact and ongoing response efforts.

Tornado Count Update

The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least 29 tornadoes touched down in the Chicagoland area, including at Chicago O'Hare Airport. This information comes as part of the ongoing damage assessment and adds to the severity of the storm's impact. Tornadoes were confirmed in Cicero, Huntley, Elgin, Barrington, Long Grove, Des Plaines, Glendale Heights, Streamwood, and at O'Hare International Airport. Among these, the Elgin tornado was an EF-1 with maximum winds of 100 mph, while others ranged from EF-0 to EF-1.

Interstate 55 Reopened

In a significant development, Interstate 55 near Channahon has reopened this morning following its closure earlier this week due to storm damage. This reopening is a crucial step in restoring normalcy to the affected areas.

Stay Informed with TNW News

For the latest updates, stay tuned to TNW News. Follow us on our social media accounts and visit our website, tnwweather.com, for real-time information.

We extend our gratitude to the NBC Chicago web team, CBS Chicago weather team, and WGN News for their collaboration in keeping the community informed and safe during this crisis. Special thanks to our Breaking News team, who provided stellar coverage under challenging conditions.

Operations Manager Todd Nardone, acting as the meteorologist on duty last night, kept the community informed through Facebook updates despite the challenges. The TNW Weather Center was evacuated at the height of the storm, but our commitment to delivering trustworthy, local, and national weather news remains unwavering.

Our website experienced technical issues until 10 PM last night, limiting our ability to update the public. We will address these challenges to ensure better access during future emergencies.

Key Takeaways:

• Tornado Count: At least 29 tornadoes confirmed in the Chicagoland area.
• Damage Surveys: NWS Chicago and surrounding offices are conducting damage surveys.
• Power Outages: Restoration efforts are ongoing, with some areas expected to have power by Friday.
• Weather Forecast: No severe weather is expected this week, aiding cleanup efforts.
• Interstate 55: Reopened near Channahon after storm damage closure.
• Stay Updated: Follow TNW News on social media and tnwweather.com for continuous updates.

Thank you for trusting TNW News to keep you informed. We are dedicated to providing reliable weather news and updates day and night, ensuring our community's safety and preparedness.

Tornado Update from Sunday and Monday (Friday, July 19)

Residents of the Chicago area are continuing to clean up after the storms that caused widespread damage earlier this week. The NWS has confirmed at least 29 tornadoes touched down, including at Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Significant damage was reported in Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, Countryside, and Elgin. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with power restoration and debris removal as top priorities.

Communities are showing resilience, with neighbors helping each other through the aftermath. The sense of community and relief that no major injuries were reported is strong, as residents work together to rebuild and recover.

Continued Damage Assessments for the July 15th Derecho (7:48 PM CDT Thursday, July 18)

Good evening! Here is a summary of our findings from today for our continued damage assessments for the July 15th derecho:

• EF-0 tornado confirmed from Glen Ellyn to Lombard
• EF-0 tornado confirmed in Villa Park
• EF-1 tornado confirmed near Grant Park
• Cedar Lake to Crown Point tornado track extended through Valparaiso
• Preliminary tracks determined for the previously confirmed southern Winnebago County, Manteno, and Peotone tornadoes
• Strong straight-line winds confirmed in Hanover Park, Bartlett, Lansing, and the remainder of southern Winnebago County

This brings our current tornado count for the July 15th derecho event up to 24 (tied for the daily record in our forecast area), and brings the July 14-15 2-day total up to 29. There will be more to come as we continue our analysis of these events. We thank you for your continued patience.

New Tornado Confirmations

We have confirmed an additional 5 tornadoes, bringing the event total to 29. The new tornado confirmations are:

• Maple Park: EF-Unknown* (remained entirely in fields)
• O'Hare Airport: EF-0
• Country Club Hills: EF-0
• Cazenovia (Woodford County): EF-0 (80-85 mph)
• Minonk (Woodford County): EF-0 (80-85 mph)

*Note: The EF-Unknown rating for the Maple Park tornado is due to the lack of damage indicators/wind speed ratings for its path through fields.

Non-Tornadic Wind Damage

We also identified significant non-tornadic winds in several areas:

• New Lenox/Mokena/Tinley Park/Harvey/Calumet City to NW Gary, IN: 75 to 90 mph
• Broadview to Austin, IL: ~80 mph
• Schiller Park to Norridge, IL: ~80 mph
• Lombard/Villa Park: ~80 mph

Tornado vs. Non-Tornadic Winds

Confirming tornadoes in squall lines can be challenging due to rapid changes in rotation strength. Brief tornadoes may occur in areas also experiencing strong non-tornadic winds, leading to variations in damage.

Ongoing Damage Assessments

We are still assessing damage in additional locations, including:

• Monroe Center
• Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
• Kingston
• Kniman
• Beaver City

Key Updates:

• EF-0 Tornado: Confirmed from Glen Ellyn to Lombard
• EF-0 Tornado: Confirmed in Villa Park
• EF-1 Tornado: Confirmed near Grant Park
• Extended Tornado Track: Cedar Lake to Crown Point through Valparaiso
• Preliminary Tracks: Southern Winnebago County, Manteno, Peotone
• Straight-Line Winds: Confirmed in Hanover Park, Bartlett, Lansing, and the remainder of southern Winnebago County

This brings our current tornado count for the July 15th derecho event to 24 (tying the daily record in our forecast area), and the July 14-15 2-day total to 29.

Community and Cleanup Efforts

Residents of the Chicago area continue to clean up after the storms. The confirmed tornadoes include at least 11 in significant locations like O'Hare Airport. Cleanup efforts, power restoration, and debris removal are ongoing. Communities are demonstrating resilience and cooperation, with no major injuries reported.

Volunteer and Resident Support

We extend our gratitude to volunteers and residents for their support and cooperation. Your assistance in damage assessments and sharing your stories has been invaluable. We will continue to be active in the community throughout the weekend. Residents can also submit their own assessments via Will County EMA.