Chicago, IL – More than 100,000 utility customers were without electricity Monday afternoon after destructive thunderstorms swept across northeastern Illinois, bringing hurricane-force wind gusts, widespread damage, and dangerous travel conditions.
According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the storms disrupted power service across the region and could affect communications, water service, and transportation. Officials encouraged residents to report outages, prepare for several hours without electricity if necessary, and use designated cooling centers if homes become too hot.
The National Weather Service issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, including a rare “Destructive” designation for parts of the region. Officials warned that the storms were capable of producing tornado-like wind speeds exceeding 100 mph, extensive tree damage, and prolonged power outages as the system moved southeast Monday afternoon.
In Orland Park, village officials reported scattered power outages, downed trees and utility lines, flooded roadways, and multiple intersections with non-functioning traffic signals. Drivers were reminded to treat dark traffic signals as four-way stops and use extra caution around emergency crews.
The Orland Park Police Department, located at 15100 S. Ravinia Ave., is serving as the village’s primary cooling center for residents needing air conditioning, a place to charge medical equipment or electronic devices, or temporary relief from the heat.
Officials also urged residents to stay away from downed power lines, operate generators only outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and monitor local emergency alerts and utility outage maps for restoration updates.
Emergency managers continue assessing damage across northeastern Illinois as crews work to restore electricity and clear road hazards. Additional updates are expected throughout the afternoon and evening.
