Severe Storm Hits Chicago, Causing Widespread Damage
A violent summer storm tore through Chicago on Sunday night, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. City street and sanitation department crews were inundated with “hundreds” of emergency calls on Monday as residents grappled with the aftermath of the storm. The Belmont-Cragin neighborhood on the northwest side of the city bore the brunt of the damage, with felled trees damaging homes and even crushing an SUV.
Response Efforts and Power Outages
In the wake of the storm, city officials reminded residents to report tree emergencies and submit cleanup tickets through the Chicago 311 mobile app or online. Residents were urged to call 311 to report large branches and downed trees blocking public roads. As of noon, over 12,000 ComEd customers remained without power, a significant improvement from earlier in the morning when nearly 18,000 customers were affected. The utility company was working diligently to restore power to all affected areas.
Continued Threat of Severe Weather
Despite the storm passing, the threat of severe weather loomed large over Chicago. National Weather Service meteorologists were dispatched to Kane and DeKalb counties on Monday to assess potential tornado damage. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from Sunday’s storm, but the city remained on high alert as another round of severe storms was expected later in the day. Residents were advised to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe in the face of inclement weather.
Overall, the summer storm that battered Chicago served as a reminder of nature’s power and the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. City officials and utility companies worked tirelessly to address the aftermath of the storm, but the threat of further damage underscored the need for continued resilience and readiness in the face of severe weather events.
