Science & Nature

Powerful Storms, Tornado Threat Set To Deliver Second Punch to Chicago Region on Thursday

Powerful winds brought down trees and led to widespread power outages Wednesday, with a second round of severe weather, including the threat of tornadoes, expected Thursday.

As of early Thursday morning, ComEd crews were still working to restore power to nearly 75,000 customers in Chicago, with South Side neighborhoods the hardest hit, including Mount Greenwood, South Shore, West Pullman, Beverly and Chatham.

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation received 5,272 tree emergency requests due to the storm, according to Ryan Gage, department spokesman.

“Forestry crews are out citywide today clearing debris and making sure roads are passable. Residents should take caution around downed trees, and if they have or see one, report it to 311 by using the CHI311 app or visiting 311.Chicago.gov,” Gage said.

Using the app or website is advised to avoid wait times due to a heavy volume of calls. If the situation is dangerous, as in the case of a downed power line, people should call 911, city officials said.

(National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service is tracking two rounds of severe weather Thursday. The first system is expected to hit the metro region between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will deliver damaging winds and hail. 

A second wave will follow, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., for much of the Chicago metro region. The most intense weather looks to be lining up south of I-80, according to a weather service briefing Thursday afternoon, but the threat of severe weather remains area-wide.

The weather service advises people to have multiple ways to receive alerts and to immediately take cover if a tornado warning is issued. Basements or an interior room without windows are the best options short of an actual tornado shelter.

A tree at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive was completely uprooted during Wednesday's storms. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]

---