Overview
- Severe storms produced multiple tornadoes that struck communities outside Chicago, flattening homes, tearing off roofs, and downing trees and power poles after Thursday’s storms.
- Preliminary surveys assigned several Enhanced Fujita ratings with an EF-2 confirmed in Merrillville and preliminary EF-3 ratings reported for Streator and Kouts as NWS teams continue multi-day inspections.
- Utilities reported hundreds of thousands without power across Illinois, Indiana and nearby states and announced phased, multi-day restoration plans that prioritize hospitals and large-customer feeders.
- Local officials opened Red Cross shelters and reunification centers, declared emergencies, and mounted round-the-clock search, rescue and cleanup operations while counting injuries and damage.
- Meteorologists said the outbreak followed a cold front colliding with warm, humid air during an active severe-weather spring, and warned that NWS ratings and tornado counts could change as surveys conclude.