Cleanup and power restoration underway after tornadoes hit Chicago area

Cleanup operations have begun across the Chicago metropolitan area following strong thunderstorms that produced at least two confirmed tornadoes on Thursday. The National Weather Service will send survey teams on Friday to assess damage in Streator, Naperville, Bartlett and Northwest Indiana, where tornadoes were confirmed.

Early Friday, ComEd reported more than 170,000 customers without electricity, while NIPSCO said over 74,000 customers in Northwest Indiana remained without power. The South Shore Line service is disrupted between South Bend and Michigan City, with limited service to Randolph Street Station.

In Streator, a state of emergency was declared after a tornado demolished several homes in the town’s southern sector. No deaths have been reported, though officials are still evaluating injuries. The Red Cross opened a shelter at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a separate shelter operates at the Hobart police complex gym.

Northwest Indiana saw extensive tree damage, uprooted sewage pipes and downed power lines in areas such as Hobart, Dyer and Merrillville. Roads and driveways remain blocked by fallen trees.

Andrean High School sustained roof and window damage, prompting the cancellation of school operations for the foreseeable future. Officials reminded residents to avoid fallen utility lines and damaged poles as crews continue road clearing and debris removal.

"It was the scariest thing I've witnessed," said Streator resident Clint Stevens, describing his experience watching the funnel cloud.

"I saw the clouds whipping around and we went downstairs… I heard a big thud and then saw a tree on the back of the house," said Hobart resident Patrick Winter.

Multiple agencies from Illinois and neighboring states are assisting first responders in the ongoing recovery effort.