In the western suburbs of Chicago, multiple tornado touchdowns were reported as a cluster of powerful thunderstorms swept through the area.
During the 7 p.m. hour, intense downpours, strong winds, and lightning prompted cars and trucks to seek refuge beneath the underpass of the Illinois Tollway west of Barrington in both directions.
In the Washington Court neighborhood of Mundelein, an apparent flash tornado caused damage to an apartment building. A resident described the tornado as sounding like a “freight train.”
The extent of injuries and damage was unclear at the time of reporting.
Tornado touchdowns were reported near Sugar Grove and Aurora, causing significant storm damage. A viewer in Yorkville captured video looking north toward Batavia, witnessing a transformer explosion shortly after. Tornado-force winds swept through western Kane County, causing damage at Waubonsee Community College.
Debris littered the campus, and power restoration efforts were underway by ComEd crews. A man found his SUV with a shattered window, turned around by the force of the tornado.
Kane County experienced four tornado touchdowns, with three occurring in North Aurora and Sugar Grove. Rescuers were active, addressing the aftermath of the storms.
The storms tore off part of a roof in Big Rock, and there were reports of tree damage and downed wires on various roads. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office urged people to avoid affected areas due to dangerous conditions.
The National Weather Service reported a tornado east of Waterman in DeKalb County and funnel clouds in Lee County near Paw Paw.
In Hoffman Estates, a reported funnel cloud prompted a mother and daughter to take shelter in their bathroom. The storms caused heavy damage in the northwest suburbs, with downed trees, power poles, and flash flooding reported.
The storm brought extreme lightning, sheets of rain, and dime-size hail in different areas, creating hazardous driving conditions. Despite the challenges, residents witnessed the awe-inspiring display of nature’s fury on this late winter day.
