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Record 17 Tornadoes Ravage Illinois, Indiana, Spark Massive Outages

6/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The National Weather Service confirmed a record-high 17 tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana on June 11, 2026, striking Streator, Kouts, and Merrillville.
More than 650,000 customers lost electricity in eight states, with utilities restoring over 99 percent by June 15, yet thousands remained without service in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
One person died in Iowa when a falling tree struck a homeless encampment, while no deaths occurred in the Illinois-Indiana tornado zones.

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Story summary

The National Weather Service confirmed a record-high 17 tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana on June 11, 2026, striking Streator, Kouts, and Merrillville.
More than 650,000 customers lost electricity in eight states, with utilities restoring over 99 percent by June 15, yet thousands remained without service in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
One person died in Iowa when a falling tree struck a homeless encampment, while no deaths occurred in the Illinois-Indiana tornado zones.