Unusual Looping Tornado Strikes Hazel Crest Twice in Chicago Suburbs

On Monday, July 27, 2026, a severe weather outbreak produced a series of thunderstorms that spawned at least seven tornadoes across the Chicago metropolitan area. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes—one in Hazel Crest and another in Lansing—and five additional EF-0 tornadoes in suburbs such as Glen Ellyn, Orland Park, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Romeoville. Straight-line winds exceeding 100 mph were also reported in eastern Will County. The outbreak prompted a disaster proclamation for Cook County.

ABC7Chicago.comWGN NewsNBC Chicago - WMAQNBC Chicago - WMAQ‘Drunknado’ makes strange loop as it moves through area The Weather Channel

• Early afternoon – A tornado touched down just east of Interstate 57.

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Shortly after – The funnel crossed Interstate 80, moving through Country Club Hills.

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Mid-loop – The storm veered northeast, striking Hazel Crest and damaging trees, apartment roofs and a school-adjacent building.

‘Drunknado’ makes strange loop as it moves through area

• ?10 minutes later – The vortex completed a counter-clockwise loop, accelerated southward, and hit Hazel Crest a second time with greater intensity, removing the roof of an industrial building and toppling two 75-ton intermodal containers.

‘Drunknado’ makes strange loop as it moves through area

• Final stage – The tornado crossed Interstate 80 a third time, passed through Homewood, and lifted near Glenwood after traveling more than 11 miles in roughly 16 minutes.

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Confirmed tornadoes: 7 (2 EF-1, 5 EF-0).

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Maximum winds: 110 mph (EF-1 tornadoes).

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Path length of looping tornado: >11 miles; duration: ?16 minutes.

The Weather Channel

• Damage highlights: roof removal from an industrial building on 167th Street, exterior wall and roof damage to an apartment complex on 171st Street, and two double-stacked containers (?75 tons each) toppled in Homewood.

‘Drunknado’ makes strange loop as it moves through area

Hazel Crest residents experienced two successive hits. Efrain Angulo described the first pass as “a regular storm…strong winds,” followed by a second, more violent encounter that sent a branch toward him. No injuries were reported, and power outages were limited to a few homes. The tornado’s looping path caused repeated damage to the same neighborhood, complicating cleanup efforts but leaving the overall residential structure largely intact.

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a disaster proclamation, thanking municipal partners, the State of Illinois, first responders, utility providers and Cook County Emergency Management for their coordinated response. The NWS indicated that survey teams will continue to assess damage across the affected suburbs and may confirm additional tornadoes in the coming days.

ABC7Chicago.com

• “Earlier this week, severe storms brought significant damage and disruption to communities across Cook County,” — Cook County Board President

ABC7Chicago.com

• “It hit us the first time like a regular storm would, strong winds, it comes in, and then it dies down,” — Efrain Angulo, a Hazel Crest resident

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• “That's a lot of luck, a lot of luck. Both cares are undamaged, I mean power is out but at least our house is still there,” — Efrain Angulo, a Hazel Crest resident

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

The National Weather Service plans to complete its damage surveys over the next several days, which could lead to further tornado confirmations from the July 27 outbreak. Local officials have pledged ongoing support for recovery and rebuilding efforts in the impacted neighborhoods.

ABC7Chicago.com