CHICAGO (WLS) — More severe weather hit the Chicago area on Friday after a round of storms moved through on Thursday.
A Tornado Watch was in effect for most counties in the area, but it has since expired.
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Much of the Chicago area was under a Level 2 risk for severe weather Friday evening, while some areas west of the city were under a Level 3 risk.
ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists said the storms were expected to hit the Chicago area between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The Chicago weather forecast Friday included a Tornado Watch. Severe storms were possible with heavy rain, flooding, high winds and large hail.
The main threats were heavy rain, flooding and high winds, but large hail and tornadoes were also possible.
The National Weather Service said the greatest flash flood threat was north of I-80 and west of I-55, especially where heavy rainfall occurred Thursday.
A Ground Stop was issued at O’Hare Airport from 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Friday due to thunderstorms, the FAA said. The average delays for flight departures was over an hour.
Meanwhile Friday evening, people headed to Windy City Smokeout in the parking lot of the United Center on the city’s West Side.
The headliner for the second night of the event, Old Dominion, took to the stage early so that organizers could wrap up the festival ahead of any possible storm.
The headliner for the second night of the Windy City Smokeout took to the stage early so that organizers could wrap up the festival ahead of any possible storms.
A flood of festivalgoers descended out of the United Center grounds after the concert ended as dark clouds loom overhead, a possible prediction of what was to come.
“The headliner wasn’t supposed to come on until, like, 8:30, so we were expecting to leave around 10, but I think there’s like some tornadoes coming through the area,” attendee Emma Kearns said. ‘So I think they just wanted to get everybody out and make sure that we can enjoy the concert.”
Thursday around 7:30 p.m., tens of thousands of attendees here at the Windy City Smokeout were forced to evacuate the grounds during a thunderstorm. They were allowed back inside the festival about an hour later.
Since there is a chance for another downpour, festivalgoers are advised to take shelter at a nearby parking garage at Malcolm X College, about three blocks away.
“The floods? Yeah, it’s definitely a worry, but we’re excited for tonight,” attendee Mikey Elter said. “We’ll get a little wet if we have to.”
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“We actually have some ponchos in our bags, today, just in case. The kids are coming down, and we’re making sure that everybody is taken care of,” Palatine resident Kim Wimer said. “So, we have a plan B, so if we need to, we can evacuate, hang out, and do all our things.”
The Windy City Smokeout brings together fans who have a love for both barbecue and country music. A festival spokesperson told ABC7 that safety updates will be sent through the official Smokeout app, social media, and will be on screens inside of the event.
The fest goes through Sunday night, weather depending.
Organizers posted their evacuation plan to social media on Thursday.
In the north suburbs, the Lake In The Hills Rib Fest was canceled Friday due to the weather, organizers said.
Thursday’s storms caused problems on the CTA Yellow Line, with service suspended for debris on the track as pockets of heavy rain and storms continued to linger in the area on Friday morning.
The earlier storms also led to problems at O’Hare Airport, with 173 flight cancellations as of Friday morning. A Ground Stop was in effect until shortly after 8 a.m.
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