Severe storms knock out power to hundreds of thousands in Chicago, Indiana and Ohio

Severe thunderstorms and wind gusts exceeding 80 mph struck the Chicago metropolitan area, northwestern Indiana and parts of Ohio on Tuesday, leaving more than 600,000 customers without electricity in Illinois and Indiana and over 270,000 in Ohio, according to outage tracking data.

Tornado warning sirens sounded as the skies darkened, prompting temporary suspensions of flights at Chicago’s two major airports and warnings of subsequent delays.

Residents described extensive damage, including flooded roads, downed trees tangled in power lines and roofs torn off homes.

"No power. It was very scary. We were down in the basement," said Javid Jenkins, a Homewood resident who was seeking gasoline to run a generator. "Total devastation. No roof," said Kerry Hourigan, who stood outside her Tinley Park home after the storm.

The National Weather Service issued a blunt advisory, stating, "These are dangerous storms!"

In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine reported that a resident died while awaiting medical assistance that could not reach the scene due to flooded roads, and he cautioned that flooding hazards would continue.

"This is not something that will end tonight," DeWine said.

Local officials in LaPorte County, Indiana, noted extensive tree damage, while municipal workers in Columbus, Ohio, were sent home early in anticipation of further storms, and a library in Westerville closed after rain entered its atrium.

The fifth day of the Lake County Fair was cancelled as a result of the weather conditions.