Severe Storms Cause Power Outages and Flight Delays in Chicago

WHO:

ABC News - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson advised residents to ensure they have access to a safe place to take shelter and to check on their neighbors.

ABC News - The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings across Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa.

ABC News - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warned residents about the severe weather conditions.

WHAT:

ABC News - The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for DeKalb, McHenry, and Boone counties in Illinois and Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties in Wisconsin until 7 p.m.

ABC7 Chicago - The Storm Prediction Center has much of the Chicago area under a Level 4 Risk for severe weather.

ABC7 Chicago - A Tornado Watch is in effect for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties in Illinois and Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter counties in Indiana and Kenosha, Walworth, and Racine counties in Wisconsin until 9 p.m.

ABC7 Chicago - As of 10:48 a.m., 158,324 ComEd customers were impacted by power outages, with more than 400,000 total customers affected.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms led to an obstruction on the CTA Yellow Line tracks, suspending service Thursday morning, with service resuming shortly before 8 a.m.

ABC7 Chicago - Approximately 250 customers were impacted by a gas main rupture caused by a fallen tree near 81st Street and Kingston Avenue.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms caused significant flooding, prompting the cancellation of a meeting at the Columbus Park Refectory for a West Side senior flood recovery group.

Block Club Chicago - A Rock Island Metra train was forced to reverse due to a downed tree on the tracks, allowing passengers to disembark at the 91st Street station.

Block Club Chicago - Conditions were also rough on the South Side, where a Rock Island Metra train coming into Beverly from Downtown was forced to reverse because of a downed tree on the tracks.

ABC News - The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings across Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa.

Fast Company - The storms knocked out power for nearly 390,000 residents in the Midwest, with nearly 226,000 outages in Illinois, including around 150,000 in Cook County, and 85,000 in Michigan.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms caused significant flooding, prompting the cancellation of a meeting at the Columbus Park Refectory for a West Side senior flood recovery group.

Block Club Chicago - A Rock Island Metra train was forced to reverse due to a downed tree on the tracks, allowing passengers to disembark at the 91st Street station.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms led to an obstruction on the CTA Yellow Line tracks, suspending service Thursday morning. Service resumed shortly before 8 a.m.

ABC7 Chicago - Approximately 30 people are without a home at the Ridgewood Condominiums due to storm damage, with one of the two condo buildings being uninhabitable.

ABC News - The National Weather Service warned of storms moving eastward across northern Illinois, potentially bringing “damaging winds, a brief tornado or two, and localized torrential rainfall increasing the risk for flash flooding.”

Block Club Chicago - The storms produced wind gusts of over 70 mph in some areas, resulting in sporadic wind damage across portions of the area.

ABC7 Chicago - A tree fell on a house at 152nd and King Drive in south suburban Dolton, caving in the roof and causing rainwater to gush inside.

ABC7 Chicago - Approximately 250 customers were impacted by a gas main rupture caused by a fallen tree near 81st Street and Kingston Avenue.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms led to the temporary closure of the Markham Courthouse, with all criminal cases scheduled for initial appearance and EM violations of conditions of release being heard at the Fifth Municipal District Courthouse in Bridgeview.

ABC7 Chicago - The Cook County Circuit Court ordered all cases at 727 E. 111th Street in Chicago to be continued due to a power outage.

Block Club Chicago - A Rock Island Metra train was forced to reverse due to a downed tree on the tracks, allowing passengers to disembark at the 91st Street station.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms caused significant flooding, prompting the cancellation of a meeting at the Columbus Park Refectory for a West Side senior flood recovery group.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms left a trail of destruction in McKinley Park, where a large tree smashed parked cars after strong winds swept through.

ABC7 Chicago - A resident expressed concern over the damage to their vehicle, stating, "I feel very, very, very, very sad," after a tree crushed their car.

ABC7 Chicago - As of 10:48 a.m., 158,324 ComEd customers were impacted by power outages, with more than 400,000 total customers affected.

ABC7 Chicago - Approximately 30 people are without a home at the Ridgewood Condominiums due to storm damage, with one of the two condo buildings being uninhabitable.

Fast Company - The National Weather Service reported more than a dozen tornadoes across northern Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Illinois.

Fast Company - Around 390,000 customers had no electricity in the Midwest, with nearly 226,000 outages in Illinois, including around 150,000 in Cook County, and 85,000 in Michigan.

ABC News - By Wednesday evening, more than 1,000 flights going into and out of Chicago had been delayed or canceled, according to FlightAware.

Block Club Chicago - Nearly 400 flights have been canceled at O’Hare as of 7 p.m. Wednesday, with 10 flights canceled at Midway.

Block Club Chicago - The storm produced flash flooding across the city, including significant flooding near the intersection of West Washington Street and South Homan Avenue.

ABC News - Damaging storms caused power outages for more than 264,000 customers in Illinois and nearly 140,000 in Michigan.

ABC News - More than 1,000 flights were delayed or canceled at Chicago airports due to the storms.

Block Club Chicago - Wind gusts reached over 70 mph in some areas, causing sporadic wind damage.

Block Club Chicago - Nearly 400 flights were canceled at O’Hare and 10 at Midway, with delays averaging over an hour.

WHERE:

ABC7 Chicago - A tree fell on a house at 152nd and King Drive in south suburban Dolton, caving in the roof and causing rainwater to gush inside.

NBC News - Strong winds blew part of the roof off an apartment building in the Chicago area, forcing residents to evacuate.

Block Club Chicago - Flooding was reported in areas such as Austin and Garfield Park, with standing water and flooded underpasses.

ABC News - The storms affected the Midwest, particularly the Chicago area, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport.

Block Club Chicago - Significant flooding was reported in Garfield Park and the South Loop in Chicago.

WHEN:

ABC7 Chicago - Another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city about 9 p.m. Wednesday, with more storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

ABC7 Chicago - The main severe weather threat is anticipated from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday.

Block Club Chicago - Another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city about 9 p.m. Wednesday, with more storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

ABC7 Chicago - The storms are expected to produce additional severe weather on Thursday, with a main severe weather threat anticipated from 4 to 10 p.m.

Block Club Chicago - Another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city about 9 p.m. Wednesday, with more storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

Block Club Chicago - Another line of storms will hit the city about 9 p.m. Wednesday, with more storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

Block Club Chicago - By Friday, conditions will clear up, with highs nearing 80 and lows in the mid-60s.

ABC News - The storms occurred on a Wednesday, with warnings and disruptions reported throughout the day.

Block Club Chicago - Another line of storms is expected to hit the city about 9 p.m. Wednesday, with more storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

WHY:

Block Club Chicago - The storms were fueled by very warm and humid conditions, which created instability in the atmosphere.

HOW:

ABC7 Chicago - The gusting winds uprooted a massive tree which crushed several vehicles, with city crews using saws and heavy machinery to clear the debris.

ABC News - The National Weather Service warned of damaging winds, potential tornadoes, and localized torrential rainfall increasing the risk for flash flooding.

ABC News - Commonwealth Edison Company reported that the storms had downed poles and wires, affecting power supply.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 04:19 UTC)

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for several counties in Illinois and Wisconsin until 7 p.m., while much of the Chicago area is under a Level 4 Risk for severe weather. A Tornado Watch is also in effect for multiple counties until 9 p.m., and the storms have already caused significant disruptions, including power outages affecting over 400,000 customers and service suspensions on the CTA Yellow Line. As conditions worsen, another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city around 9 p.m. Wednesday, with the main severe weather threat anticipated from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 01:44 UTC)

Tornado warnings have been issued across Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa as severe storms have knocked out power for nearly 390,000 residents in the Midwest, including around 226,000 outages in Illinois alone. The storms caused significant flooding, leading to the cancellation of a senior flood recovery meeting and forcing a Rock Island Metra train to reverse due to a downed tree on the tracks. Another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city around 9 p.m. Wednesday, with additional severe weather anticipated on Thursday, particularly from 4 to 10 p.m.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 23:22 UTC)

Severe storms are moving eastward across northern Illinois, with the National Weather Service warning of damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. Wind gusts exceeding 70 mph have caused significant damage, including a tree falling on a house in Dolton and a gas main rupture affecting about 250 customers near 81st Street and Kingston Avenue. The storms have also disrupted local services, leading to the temporary closure of the Markham Courthouse and forcing a Rock Island Metra train to reverse due to downed trees on the tracks.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 19:47 UTC)

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is urging residents to find safe shelter and check on their neighbors as severe storms have caused significant disruptions across the area. Over 158,000 ComEd customers are currently experiencing power outages, and the Markham Courthouse has temporarily closed, shifting criminal cases to the Fifth Municipal District Courthouse in Bridgeview. The storms have also left approximately 30 people homeless at the Ridgewood Condominiums, and additional severe weather is expected on Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 16:21 UTC)

The National Weather Service has reported that more than a dozen tornadoes have touched down across northern Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Illinois, leaving around 390,000 customers without electricity in the Midwest. In the Chicago area, strong winds blew part of the roof off an apartment building, prompting an evacuation of residents. Another line of storms with similar wind speeds is expected to hit the city around 9 p.m. Wednesday, with additional storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 08:29 UTC)

Severe storms have caused significant disruptions in Chicago, leading to over 1,000 flight delays and cancellations, with nearly 400 flights canceled at O’Hare alone. The storms have also resulted in flash flooding across the city, particularly near the intersection of West Washington Street and South Homan Avenue, affecting areas like Austin and Garfield Park. Another line of storms is expected to hit the city around 9 p.m. Wednesday, but conditions are projected to improve by Friday, with temperatures reaching highs near 80 degrees and lows in the mid-60s.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 06:32 UTC)

Severe weather has prompted the National Weather Service to issue tornado warnings across Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urging residents to stay alert. The storms have caused significant disruptions, leaving over 264,000 customers without power in Illinois and nearly 140,000 in Michigan, while more than 1,000 flights were delayed or canceled at Chicago's airports due to wind gusts exceeding 70 mph and flooding in areas like Garfield Park and the South Loop. Another line of storms is expected to hit the city around 9 p.m. Wednesday, with additional storms anticipated on Thursday afternoon, fueled by warm and humid conditions that have created instability in the atmosphere.