Tornado Watch Issued for Chicago Amid Cleanup from Derecho Damage
The Chicago area is under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. CDT on Thursday, June 11, 2026, following a destructive derecho that swept through the city on Wednesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of potential tornadoes, wind gusts up to 80 mph, hail, and flash flooding in two rounds of storms. The first round brought a quarter-inch of rain, while the second, expected around 7 p.m., could intensify due to breaks of sunshine fueling storm energy. Wednesday's derecho caused widespread damage, including uprooted trees, shattered windows, and power outages affecting nearly 180,000 customers in Chicago. Microbursts with winds up to 85 mph were recorded, particularly near Navy Pier. Cleanup efforts are underway as the city braces for more severe weather. 
