Severe Storms Cause Flooding, Tornadoes, and Power Outages in Chicago Area
The Chicago area experienced two rounds of severe storms on Monday, July 27, 2026, causing significant damage and disruptions. The storms brought heavy rainfall, with over 2 inches recorded in downtown Chicago within an hour, along with strong winds, hail, and tornadoes. A rain-wrapped tornado was reported near Orland Park, Homer Glen, and Tinley Park, with radar detecting a tornadic debris signature. Wind gusts reached speeds of 90-100 mph in some areas, leading to downed trees, power lines, and structural damage. Power outages affected over 295,000 ComEd customers in Illinois and more than 28,000 Nipsco customers in Northwest Indiana. The storms also caused flooding in several areas, including Summit and Frankfort, where roads and sidewalks were submerged.