More severe storms, damaging winds may hit south suburbs; over 98,000 still without power in Chicago area
Aug 12, 2026
After the south suburbs were rocked by at least three tornadoes Tuesday, additional severe weather could hit the area as over 98,000 ComEd customers remained without power Wednesday evening. It was down from the 142,000 in the dark still Wednesday morning.A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect fo
r Joliet, Kankakee and DeKalb until 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Severe weather could bring downpours and gusty winds, though the storms may not be as strong as Tuesday's severe weather. "Most areas are not gonna see severe winds, but if you do, you could see winds as high as 70 miles per hour," said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist with the weather service. A line of thunderstorms was expected to move through the Chicago area late Wednesday morning, and between a quarter and half an inch of rain was possible closer to the city, according to the weather service.Three tornadoes with gusts of 86 to 110 mph were confirmed Tuesday — one in southern Cook County, another in eastern Will County and the third in the Mokena area, also in Will County.Rick Johnson, a Mokena resident of more than 30 years, said his home lost power — the same as it did last month for four days during another round of storms. He said he’s never experienced so many powerful and destructive storms in a single summer.“It’s been an odd year,” he said.
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