Fast-moving storms blast through Chicago area, causing damage and power outages
A round of fast-moving severe thunderstorms plowed through the Chicago area Sunday afternoon, producing hurricane-force winds and taking down trees and power lines in parts of Northwest Indiana.
A tornado watch was issued throughout most the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana for much of the afternoon. Severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana as the storms moved southwest to northeast.
A tornado warning was also issued for parts of Lake and Newton counties in Indiana during the storms. A tornado warning was also later issued for Starke and northwest Pulaski counties in Indiana.
Hurricane-force winds were also reported in parts of the area. Wind gusts topped out at 81 mph in Valparaiso, Indiana, 75 mph in Lakes of the Four Seasons in Indiana, and 74 mph in Gary, Indiana, and Lynwood, Illinois.
The storms moved fast, northeast at 50-60 mph. They slammed downtown Chicago shortly before 3 p.m. and were gone as fast as they came, with only fairly light rain falling downtown by 3:45 p.m.
Tens of thousands of people were left without power after the storms. NIPSCO, which provides electricity to Northwest Indiana, reported nearly 34,000 customers were without power late Sunday afternoon.
ComEd reported 1,800 customers without power in Northern Illinois.
Strong winds take down trees, cut power, and flip over truck in deadly wreck
In Valparaiso, a semi-trailer truck flipped over on the grounds of an industrial plant amid the dangerously strong winds.
At 4:15 p.m., Porter County, Indiana Sheriff's officers were called for the crash on the property of Pratt Industries, a corrugated packaging manufacturer located at 3050 Anthony Pratt Dr. in Valparaiso. Officers found the truck on its side.
Police believe the truck was headed east through the Pratt Industries property when the strong crosswinds blew it over. The driver — Jagbir Singh, 34, of Ontario, Canada — was found outside the passenger compartment, police said.
In Roselawn, Indiana, which straddles Jasper and Newton counties about 40 minutes east of Kankakee, strong winds uprooted trees that ended up landing on houses and garages. The trees also ripped siding off houses.
A massive tree fell on one Roselawn home, bringing down drywall and insulation.
"The tree hit right after I got over to the kids," said Jacob Bunch.
Bunch and his family had an entire side of their home taken out.
"Even the support beams, they're done," Bunch said. "It's toast on the entire side of the house right here."
People in Roselawn said two minutes after the warning came through their phones, the winds picked up—leaving damage across the area.
"It must have been a tornado, because we went in the hallway, the whole house shook, and we got a tree on top of the house broken over the ridge," said a resident named Chris.
Heather Marx, of nearby DeMotte, Indiana, likewise said she heard air-raid sirens for a tornado warning, and barely had time to get to safety.
"We got a warning for a tornado, and then within less two minutes, we heard a huge bang—and then a tree fell through our hours," said Heather Marx, "and both of my — actually, all four of my girls' rooms are destroyed — the foundation and all."
In Highland, Indiana, in Lake County, homeowners and neighbors were left to clean up a tree after it fell on a home.
Across the state line in Illinois, a business owner on South Chicago Heights was left with debris after the roof was blown off an auto body shop.
Also during the storms, a ground stop was put into place at O'Hare International Airport.
The weather also interrupted and delayed the White Sox game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rate Field Sunday afternoon.
Temperatures were dropping fast behind the storms.
A chill to come, more storms Wednesday
Flurries are possible near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line overnight, and a chilly northwest flow develops. A colder air mass settles overhead Sunday night, and temperatures struggle Monday.
Clouds rule to start the day with some gradual clearing late in the day.
The Storm Prediction Center is already highlighting the Chicago area for a severe threat Wednesday. Uncertainties are timing of storms and what areas will be favored for the best storm coverage.
Forecast at a glance
Sunday night: Stray sprinkles or flurries. Otherwise, cloudy and colder. Low 35.
Monday: Cloudy and chilly. High 42. Wind chills in the upper 20s in the morning and the middle 30s by afternoon.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 45.