CHICAGO (WLS) — There is an enhanced chance of tornadoes in most of the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon, ABC7 meteorologists say, after a round of storms bringing heavy rain moved through earlier.
A Tornado Warning is in effect for Cook, including Chicago, Lake (IL) and DuPage counties until 7 p.m.
There were confirmed tornados in near Hodgkins and Summit just to the north of I-55 and the east side of Streamwood, ABC7 meteorologist Cheryl Scott said. The National Weather Service also confirmed a tornado touchdown in Kane County near Campton Hills.
If you are in the area of a tornado warning you should seek shelter immediately in your basement or a closet or interior room with no windows on the lowest level of your home. Stay away from walls and windows and get under a sturdy object for your protection.
The storms are moving around 25 to 30 miles per hour, Scott said, and holding onto their strength as they move.
Both O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport are under ground stops due to the weather. It is not known how long the ground stop will last.
Storm damage has been reported throughout the Chicago area, including downed trees and debris in the road. Funnel clouds and touchdowns were reported by residents in Elgin, South Elgin, Burbank, and Campton Hills. Wind damage was also reported in Aurora.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois and Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties in Indiana until 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service upgraded Chicago and the suburbs to a 10% risk for strong, long-track tornadoes as of 3:15 p.m.
Read Related Also: Shyanne-Lee Tatnell: Chris Jordan from Scottsdale charged with murdering the Tasmanian teenager
Latest ABC7 Accuweather Forecast
Dutra said the risk of severe weather for the next few hours includes a medium to high risk of tornadoes, high risk of high winds, medium to high risk of hail and a high risk of flooding because the ground is already saturated with so much rain.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Cook, DuPage and Will counties until 4:30 p.m.
A Flood Watch is in effect for Cook, DuPage and Will counties in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana until 7 p.m.
The City of Chicago released a statement on the weather, saying in part, “OEMC will continue to coordinate efforts with the Department of Water Management, Chicago Department of Transportation, Streets and Sanitation, Department of Assets and Information Services, Chicago Transit Authority, and other agencies in response and mitigation to any emergency situations. The Department of Water Management will have all available flood mitigation equipment on the streets and will prioritize assistance to areas where there is a high level of 311 water complaints.”
City officials asked people to refrain from using extra water to shower or do laundry or dishes during the storm to help mitigate the city’s wastewater system. Residents should call 311 or use the CHI311 app to report water in basements, standing water in streets and viaduct flooding.
There was some flash flooding Wednesday morning from the rain.
After an initial round of rain Wednesday morning, a second round is expected to move in. That line of showers and thunderstorms could produce damaging wind as well as more rain.
The first round moved out about 2 p.m., and others could be seen developing in Iowa about the same time.
