The tornado causes extensive damage and interrupts hundreds of flights in Chicago

According to National Weather Service A tornado made landfall in Chicago on Wednesday around 7 p.m.

“This cyclone has so far touched down intermittently and is moving towards the east. There is other traffic south of O’Hare. Seek shelter if you are in a warning zone. As of 8 p.m., the weather service said the Chicago metro area was “currently clear of tornado warnings.” The storm moved across the state on Thursday and moved toward Michigan before moving toward Canada. Tornado watches in effect for parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio have ended.

Video from television stations showed hundreds of people hiding in a hall at O’Hare. According to flight tracking service FlightAware, 173 flights out of the airport have been canceled and more than 500 flights have been delayed.

Kevin Parkness, director of communications for O’Hare and Chicago Midway airports, told WGN-TV Wednesday night that there was no damage at either airport.

The National Weather Service Two tornado warnings were issued for Chicago Wednesday evening. Tornado warning sirens sounded, warning people to take shelter.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted a video on Twitter showing tornado warning sirens sounding over the city’s iconic landmark.

“I’m in a 60-story apartment building, so my options are somewhat limited,” he lamented. “I think we should go to the center of the building.”

Ms Becker said the storm was making headlines in the local media.

“There is a kind of panic when you look at the TV screen and everything is red… but the hope is that the damage will be minimal,” he said.

Local media reported that warehouses near the airport were damaged.

The weather service cited an unidentified emergency manager as saying a roof was washed away in the community of Huntley in McHenry County, northwest of Chicago. Huntley Battalion Chief Mike Pearce told ABC-7-TV that firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, downed trees and tree limbs and power outages. Building damage appeared to be concentrated around two apartment buildings, he said.

According to poweroutage.us, more than 10,000 customers lost power in the area.

In Hodgkins, southwest of Chicago, police said storm damage and debris were seen near a shopping center in the city’s north end.

Earlier Wednesday, the Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said there was an increased risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist Brett Borchardt confirmed to WGN-TV that several tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area. He said it could take several days to assess the damage.

Over the years, numerous tornadoes have affected the Chicago metropolitan area, and many have affected the city of Chicago itself, according to the National Weather Service. Between 1855 and 2021, the Weather Service recorded 97 significant tornadoes in the Chicago metropolitan area.

April 21, 1967 in Palos Hills, Cook County was the deadliest. The tornado traveled 16 miles (26 kilometers) through Oak Lawn and south Chicago, killing 33 people, injuring 500 and causing more than $50 million in damage, according to the Weather Service. Service.