Chicago (WLS) — A strong storm is hitting the Chicago area Friday night.
a severe thunderstorm warning It will apply until 9:15 p.m. in Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb counties, and until 9:30 p.m. in Livingston and LaSalle counties.
a Watch out for severe thunderstorms Cook, Dupage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Luck (Illinois), Will Boone, DeKalb, LaSalle and McHenry counties will run until 10 p.m.
ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Phil Schwartz said the biggest threats would come from wind damage and large hail, but tornadoes couldn’t be ruled out.
Severe weather on Friday night places most of the area at Level 2 out of 5 hazard, or mild hazard. The storm is currently forming in Iowa and is expected to expand rapidly as it moves east. Schwartz said he expects them to reach Interstate 39 by about 8 p.m. and travel to an area currently under thunderstorm surveillance. He also expects another thunderstorm watch to be announced in the next few hours, covering Chicago and Color County.
Schwartz said he expects strong storms to form near the western and southwestern suburbs by about 10 p.m., approach the city’s surrounding areas by about 11 p.m.
The main threat window is from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am. These cells will be more extensive than Thursday’s cell, which brought tornado warnings to McHenry and Boone counties. There is also a risk of flooding in some areas.
Some of the remaining showers will continue until Saturday morning and are expected to close. A pop-up storm is still possible Saturday afternoon, but no severe weather is expected.
This comes after 13 tornadoes hit parts of the Chicago area on Wednesday and residents continue to clean up the damage.
Tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service occurred in the following areas:
1. Burridge to Stickknee: EF 1
2. Elgin: EF-1
3. Huntley: EF-1
4. Elgin: EF-0
5. Oswego: EF-0
6. Barrington: EF-0
7. Long gloves: EF-0
8. Carol Stream to Glendale Heights: EF-0
9. Itasca to O’Hare: EF-0
10. O’Hare to Death Planes: EF-0
11. Streamwood: EF-0
12. Schaumburg: EF-0
13. Lovespark in Caledonia Township/Boone County: EF-0
Extensive cleanup efforts are still ongoing in areas hit by the tornado, including Elgin and Countryside.
Homeowners are grappling with the many remaining fallen trees, but neighbors say progress is being made.
In Elgin, near Hopi Lane and the Cosher Trail, on Friday morning, timber shredders hummed at a house with part of its roof missing.
Eleanor Jasika lost several old trees.
“I think it’s probably 200 years old, but I don’t know,” Jasika said. “I’ve been here for 40 years and I don’t know how old these trees are, but you can’t stop Mother Nature.”
Chopper 7HD caught the tornado’s path and left visible scars in the area.
Some areas are surrounded by piles of branches and debris, but clean-up work has progressed since Thursday.
“I don’t think there are many trees today because there are so many trees… there were two places where you couldn’t even get down,” said Elgin resident Margo Rodriguez. “We have a lot of busy work to do around the garden, but we’re pretty caught up on everything.”
Back in the country, Tim and Jan Schervinco were summoned from vacationing on a Minnesota lake after receiving word that they were going on a tornado tour of their neighborhood.
“I drove 10 hours home yesterday. I already had friends and family install a generator in my backyard and clear my driveway so I can get home,” Tim said. .
Two trees were separated from the house by an inch, but the family is grateful that other than some siding being torn, the damage was minimal.
“I was happy to have a home to come back to,” Jean said.
Nearly 70 homes suffered minimal damage. Only one house had its roof blown off and was uninhabitable.
“But how many trees? We don’t know how many trees have been damaged. Unfortunately, we’ve lost some of our beautiful black oaks and black walnuts,” said rural town mayor Sean McDermott.
McDermott said more than 60 percent of the debris had been removed as of Friday, and thanked neighboring communities and rural residents for helping neighbors complete the cleanup so quickly.
Elgin, meanwhile, spoke with people in the Del Webb area, where at least 20 homes were damaged and some are now uninhabitable.
On Thursday afternoon, Elgin Mayor Captain Dave spoke with people in the Del Webb community, where at least 20 homes were damaged and some are now uninhabitable.
“We want people to go home as soon as possible,” Captain Mayor said. “If your home needs repairs or repairs, we can help.”
The harsh weather this week has not only left a physical mark, but an emotional one as well. As more rain fell on Friday morning and dark skies set in, even people like Phyllis Scamaldi cowered.
“I want to go home and go to the basement,” Scamaldi said. “That’s what I want to do.”
Those in need of housing are encouraged to contact the Illinois Red Cross.
City officials, meanwhile, said residents who want to help can donate to Food for Greater Elgin.
https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-tornado-damage-today-touchdown-chicago-elgin/13501677/ Chicago Weather Radar Live: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect as a strong storm line moves into the area.