Science & Nature
Hundreds of Trees Downed, Thousands Without Power After Powerful Storms Ripped Through Chicago, But Beyoncé Prevailed
One of the hundreds of downed trees on Chicago's North Side following severe thunderstorms, May 16, 2025. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
Chicago is cleaning up Friday after powerful thunderstorms tore through the city Thursday evening, bringing down hundreds of trees, leaving some without power, and even delaying the most highly anticipated concert event of the year.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation said it had received more than 700 tree emergency requests, the majority concentrated on Chicago's North Side.
Forestry crews were prioritizing the clearing of trees blocking streets, officials said, and added that people should be cautious driving, biking or walking near damaged trees or debris.
To report a tree emergency, call 311 or use the CHI311 mobile app.
(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
Some 30,000 ComEd customers throughout the region were still without power Friday morning, with trees bringing down power lines in some locations. The utility company said it expected 80% of outages to be restored by 11 p.m. and the remainder by 3 p.m. Saturday.
@NWS huge hail Winthrop harbor IL pic.twitter.com/v6eXr4lWBa
— Nat Zunkel (@CoachZunkel) May 16, 2025
The scattered nature of the storms led to wildly different experiences across northeastern Illinois. Golfball-sized hail was reported in Winthrop Harbor near the Wisconsin border, zero rain was recorded at O'Hare Airport and a 51-mph wind gust blew through Midway Airport.
But everyone felt the July-like heat, with Chicago hitting a record-high 93 degrees. Temperatures were expected to climb back into the 80s on Friday before a weekend cool down — just in time for the Saturday and Sunday shows of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour at Soldier Field.
Queen Bey's opening show Thursday night was delayed for more than three hours, with Chicago under a severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch.
This is literally the worst day to see Beyoncè in Chicago!!! WOW!!!! #CowboyCarterTour pic.twitter.com/8hYqbbWOSK
— Terrell Johnson (@terrelltjohnson) May 16, 2025
The concert, originally set for 7 p.m., kicked off after 10 p.m. and ran past midnight, according to reports.
Opening night of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour at Soldier Field was delayed more than three hours but she hit the stage once storms passed, May 15, 2025. (Nick Blumberg / WTTW News)
Other events affected by the storms included the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, where thousands of birders have gathered for the weekend. Some sessions were canceled Thursday night but the schedule was back on track Friday, according to organizers.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
