Chicago, IL – The National Weather Service in Chicago has confirmed seven additional tornadoes from the July 15th derecho, bringing the total number of tornadoes from the event to 19. This raises the July 14-15 two-day total to 25 tornadoes.
According to the NWS, the newly confirmed tornadoes include an EF-1 tornado that tracked from Sugar Grove to Aurora and an EF-0 that moved from Crestwood to Blue Island. Additional confirmed tornadoes are an EF-1 from Flossmoor to Thornton, an EF-0 in West Town (Chicago), an EF-0 from Shelby to Wheatfield Township, and EF-0s in Peotone and Manteno, with tracks still to be determined. These tornadoes varied in intensity, with peak winds ranging from 75 mph to 100 mph, but fortunately, no injuries or deaths have been reported.
The derecho, a widespread, long-lived wind storm, swept through the region, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting ongoing surveys and analysis by the NWS. This event highlights the importance of severe weather preparedness and the need for timely weather updates. The NWS continues to monitor the affected areas and advises residents to stay informed about potential future weather threats as they complete their surveys and analyses.
