Thu Mar 20 00:40:00 UTC 2025: **Severe Storms Batter Chicago Area, Leaving Thousands Without Power and Widespread Damage**

CHICAGO (WLS) – Severe thunderstorms packing high winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes ripped through the Chicago area Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, power outages, and flight disruptions. A Tornado Watch was issued for the southwest suburbs and northwest Indiana, leading to several Tornado Warnings that have since expired.

The hardest-hit areas included Steger and Elgin (Illinois), and Gary (Indiana), where numerous trees were uprooted, roofs damaged or destroyed, and power lines downed. A UPS tractor-trailer was overturned near New Lenox by the intense winds. Residents reported seeing what appeared to be a funnel cloud. At least 2,457 ComEd customers in northern Illinois and 14,702 NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana were without power as of Wednesday night. Chicago’s airports experienced significant delays and cancellations.

Lake County, Indiana, was particularly hard hit, with officials reporting widespread damage including blown-off roofs, collapsed garages, and uprooted utility poles. Lake County is working with the Red Cross to provide shelter for displaced residents. While no injuries have yet been reported in Highland, Indiana, or Gary, officials express concern about the dropping temperatures and the number of residents without power and heat.

A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. Thursday. Following the storms, snow showers are expected, primarily north of Interstate 80, with a potential accumulation of 1-2 inches, possibly reaching 3 inches in some isolated locations. The snow is expected to fall before the Thursday morning commute.

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