Chicago Under Threat: Tornadoes Strike Midwest Amid Severe Weather

Photo: AP

Severe thunderstorms swept through the Midwest, unleashing heavy rains, possible tornadoes, and widespread chaos. In Chicago and surrounding areas, the storms caused significant damage, including a dam near Nashville, Illinois, facing imminent failure due to torrential downpours. Southern Illinois also saw evacuation orders affecting about 300 residents near the threatened Nashville City Reservoir. The National Weather Service reported 5-7 inches of rain over eight hours, with more forecasted, warning of life-threatening flash floods.

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In Indiana, tragedy struck when a woman died after a tree fell on her home during the storm. Further west, in Des Moines, Iowa, a confirmed tornado added to the devastation, snapping utility poles and prompting emergency responses. The storms moved eastward into northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, where tornado warnings were issued amidst intense rainfall and wind gusts reaching 75 mph. Damage in suburban areas included smashed cars and houses from fallen trees, leaving residents like Carol Gillette stunned and coping with significant losses.

Power outages affected over 233,000 customers in Illinois alone, underscoring the widespread impact of the severe weather. Emergency shelters were set up for displaced residents, and emergency responders remained on high alert as the storms continued to threaten the region.