Severe Storms Cause Chaos in Chicago Area: Power Outages, Metra Delays, and Injuries Reported

Severe storms wreaked havoc in the Chicago area on Tuesday, leading to power outages, Metra delays, and even injuries. According to ABC7 Chicago Meteorologist Cheryl Scott, the storm threat began to diminish Tuesday evening after strong thunderstorms hit the region earlier in the day.

The morning storms brought heavy rain, lightning, and hail to various parts of the area before transitioning into a hot and humid afternoon. Certain areas were under a Level 2 risk for severe weather, while Chicago and nearby suburbs faced a Level 1 risk with concerns about large hail, high winds, and localized flooding.

One of the aftermaths of the storms was seen in Skokie, where a downed tree branch caused a power outage for a whole block after knocking down a power line. ComEd crews were quickly on the scene to clean up the debris and restore power, with residents relieved that the fallen branch did not cause more extensive damage.

In downtown Chicago, heavy rains disrupted the morning commute, leading to soaked pedestrians seeking shelter from the intense wind and rain. This impact extended to the airports, with significant flight delays at Midway and O'Hare due to the storm-related ground stop.

Metra also faced delays as reports came in of a tree blocking the tracks on the Milwaukee District North Line heading inbound to Chicago. In Highland Park, firefighters responded to downed trees and power lines following the storm, adding to the chaos caused by the severe weather.

Farther northwest in Marengo, a man suffered minor to moderate injuries after being indirectly struck by lightning. Fire officials indicated that the lightning hit a nearby tree before connecting with the man through the ground, underscoring the dangerous nature of the storm.