Tornado Touches Down Near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Disrupting Flights and Prompting Shelter

Tornado Touches Down Near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Disrupting Flights and Prompting Shelter

CHICAGO — A tornado touched down Wednesday evening near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, causing passengers to seek shelter and resulting in the disruption of hundreds of flights. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries.

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m. The weather service warned that the tornado had been intermittently touching the ground and was moving east. Additional circulations were also reported along the line south of O’Hare. Residents in the warned area were advised to seek shelter.

By 8 p.m., the weather service announced that the Chicago forecast area was “currently tornado warning free.” However, the storm was still moving east towards southwest Michigan, and a tornado watch remained in effect until Thursday morning for parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

Video footage from various TV stations showed hundreds of people taking shelter in an O’Hare concourse. As a result of the tornado, 173 flights departing from the airport were canceled, and over 500 were delayed, according to FlightAware, the flight tracking service.

Kevin Bargnes, the director of communications for O’Hare and Chicago Midway International Airport, confirmed that no damage had been reported at either airport.

The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for Chicago on Wednesday evening, prompting tornado sirens to sound throughout the city. Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, shared a video on Twitter showing the tornado sirens blaring across the city’s iconic skyline. He mentioned being in a 60-story apartment building and stated that his options for seeking shelter were somewhat limited. Becker also noted that news of the storm was extensively covered by local media.

Local news outlets reported that warehouses near O’Hare had suffered damage. Additionally, an unidentified emergency manager quoted by the weather service stated that a roof had been blown off in the community of Huntley in McHenry County, northwest of Chicago. Huntley Battalion Chief Mike Pierce confirmed that firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, trees, and tree branches. Power outages were also reported, with building damage concentrated around two apartment buildings.

According to poweroutage.us, more than 10,000 customers in the region experienced power loss. In Hodgkins, southwest of Chicago, police reported storm damage and debris found on the north end of town, near a shopping center.

Earlier on Wednesday, the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center had warned of an enhanced risk for severe weather, including tornadoes, in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

Brett Borchardt, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed to WGN-TV that multiple tornadoes had touched down across the Chicago area. He estimated that surveying the damage would likely take several days.

The Chicago metropolitan area has experienced numerous tornadoes over the years, with several hitting within the city limits. According to the National Weather Service, between 1855 and 2021, 97 significant tornadoes have been recorded in the Chicago metro area. The deadliest tornado formed in Palos Hills in Cook County on April 21, 1967. This twister traveled 16 miles (26 kilometers) through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago, resulting in the tragic loss of 33 lives, injuring 500 individuals, and causing over $50 million in damage.

How did the tornado near O’Hare International Airport impact flight operations and passenger safety?

Tornado touches down near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, causing flight disruptions and passengers seeking shelter. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Around 7 p.m., the National Weather Service confirmed the presence of a tornado on the ground. It was moving east and intermittently touching the ground. Additional circulations were also reported south of O’Hare. Residents in the warned area were advised to take shelter.

By 8 p.m., the tornado threat in the Chicago forecast area had subsided, but the storm was still heading towards southwest Michigan. A tornado watch remained in effect until Thursday morning for parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

Videos from TV stations showed numerous people seeking shelter in an O’Hare concourse. Flight disruptions were significant, with 173 departures and over 500 delays, according to FlightAware.

Thankfully, there was no damage reported at O’Hare or Chicago Midway International Airport, as confirmed by Kevin Bargnes, the director of communications for both airports.

Chicago experienced two tornado warnings on Wednesday evening, leading to the activation of tornado sirens across the city. Lynn Becker, a resident, captured the moment on video, showing the tornado sirens blaring against the backdrop of the city’s famous skyline.