Full Breakdown
Severe Storms and Tornadoes Ravage Chicago Suburbs, Power Outages Persist
8/13/2026, 4:12:44 AM
Core Event: Derecho and Tornado Outbreak on August 11, 2026
A fast-moving line of thunderstorms swept across the Chicago metropolitan area on August 11, 2026, producing a classic derecho. The Storm Prediction Center classified the system as a widespread wind event, and the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed multiple tornadoes in the south-suburban corridor. Reported wind gusts ranged from 86 mph to 110 mph, with tornadoes touching down in LaSalle County, Will County and northwest Indiana.
Data & Statistics
- The NWS documented at least three EF-1 tornadoes; other outlets reported up to five, creating a discrepancy in the official count.
- Wind speeds reached up to 110 mph.
- Power outages affected more than 142,000 ComEd customers and 274,000 NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana.
- Air travel disruptions included over 60 flight cancellations at O’Hare and delays at Midway.
Impact on Communities
Schools across Chicagoland closed on Wednesday as districts assessed damage. Marian Catholic High School lost power and suffered roof damage, prompting cancellation of student activities. Daycare operator Cherie Kelly reported closure of her 50-child facility, noting the financial strain of repeated outages.
Business owners reported losses; Dunning’s Market owner Maureen Mader highlighted perishable food waste, while Flossmoor Station Brewing Co. offered free beer to displaced patrons.
Downed power lines sparked a house fire in Frankfort, and a fatal house explosion occurred in Portage, Indiana, though officials have not linked the blast to the weather event.
Official Statements & Responses
NWS meteorologist Kevin Donofrio warned that “the winds from the storm can be as strong as those produced by a tornado.” NWS forecaster Kevin Jeanes added that “the dynamics are not the same, upper-level winds aren’t as strong as they were yesterday, but the threat will be there.”
Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield urged drivers to fill gas tanks before entering Lake or Porter counties, citing “busy” stations and the risk of fuel shortages.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents described the storm’s intensity: “The winds became so intense; we could barely see 3 feet in front of the car,” said Ken Walenga. His neighbor Kathy Ford added, “It’s like, ‘oh my God, how’s it keep hitting us?’”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Tornado count: ABC 7 reported three EF-1 tornadoes; Fox 32 cited additional EF-2 and EF-0 events, while later updates mentioned five tornadoes overall.
- Outage figures: Audacy’s 142,000-customer figure differs from Fox 32’s 146,000 count for ComEd, and both differ from the 274,000 NIPSCO customers reported for northwest Indiana.
What’s Next
The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of northern Illinois under an enhanced risk for severe weather, forecasting wind gusts up to 80 mph and the possibility of brief tornadoes. Residents are advised to monitor updates and prepare for continued power restoration efforts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You know they're having to probably use vacation time, their, you know, sick days, things like that. Nobody wants to do that because your daycare's closed because of a power outage,” — Cherie Kelly
- “Most areas are not gonna see severe winds, but if you do, you could see winds as high as 70 miles per hour,” — Gino Izzi
