Severe thunderstorms spawned tornadoes and large hail across the Chicago area on Monday, causing significant damage, displacing residents, and injuring multiple people. The storms, which began late Monday morning, brought quarter-sized hail to suburbs like Clarendon Hills and potentially baseball-sized hail to Bolingbrook. Tornado warnings were issued as the storms moved through, with reports of uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed property in multiple locations.
Residents Trapped, Injured
Deniz Sidkey was inside his home in Lansing when powerful winds ripped part of the roof off, trapping him inside. Neighbors, including Tiffany Fliszar-Rivera, helped rescue him. "We just were crawling inside the house to try to get them through the house," Fliszar-Rivera said. Sidkey described the rescue as "unbelievable," noting that he and others were unable to open the front or back door. Meanwhile, Ruby Galvin reported that her mother was injured when a roof panel collapsed onto her during the storm. Galvin said her mother suffered three cuts to her forehead and is expected to recover.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
The storms extended beyond Chicago, affecting areas around Lake Michigan, including Wisconsin and Indiana. Meteorologist Reed Timmer captured footage of a tornado near Appleton, Wisconsin, causing severe damage in towns like Menasha and Neenah. Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin acknowledged the storms in a statement, thanking emergency responders and urging residents to stay alert. The National Weather Service has not yet confirmed the total number of tornadoes, as assessments are ongoing.
Community Efforts and Recovery
As conditions calmed, neighbors in affected areas immediately began checking on residents. Fliszar-Rivera and others worked to rescue Sidkey, highlighting the community's response to the crisis. The damage extended beyond individual homes, with reports of collapsed roofs and displaced families across multiple suburbs. Emergency services and local authorities remain active in assessing the damage and assisting those affected.