Severe Storms Hit Northern Illinois and Chicago Area, Tornado Warnings Issued

A line of severe storms with embedded tornadoes has swept through Northern Illinois and the Chicago area, causing widespread damage and prompting tornado warnings.

The storms, which hit areas including Chicago and its suburbs, brought hurricane-force winds and multiple tornado warnings simultaneously.

The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Cook County, encompassing downtown Chicago, as the severe weather system swiftly moved eastward.

Chicago O'Hare Airport experienced a tornado on the ground, while power flashes were reported at Chicago Midway Airport possibly due to tornado activity.

The severe weather outbreak led to damage in various locations, such as Joliet where the Rock and Roll Museum suffered significant structural damage.

Thousands were left without power in the aftermath of the storms.

Southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois, including Chicago, were under a Level 4 out of 5 risk according to the Storm Prediction Center.

The severe weather threat follows a previous night of storms that caused a tornado in Barney, North Dakota, and left a trail of destruction in its wake.