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.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least 19 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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 11 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.
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