Chicago Hit by a Derecho: Two EF-1 Tornadoes and Destructive Winds Sweep the Region
On August 11, 2026, the Chicago area was struck by an intense weather event. A powerful storm system, officially classified as a derecho by the Storm Prediction Center, moved through the metro area during the late morning and early afternoon. Tornado warnings were issued, two EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed in the south suburbs, and wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph caused significant damage and widespread power outages. Here is a factual account of the event.
By mid-morning, the National Weather Service had placed several counties—including Cook, Will, DuPage, and Lake—under tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. An organized line of storms rapidly intensified, producing destructive winds and radar-indicated rotations.
Two EF-1 tornadoes were later confirmed by NWS Chicago survey teams: one in eastern Will County, tracking from near Monee through Crete, and another in the south suburbs, moving from the southern Orland Park area toward Flossmoor. These relatively short-lived tornadoes were accompanied by powerful straight-line winds characteristic of a derecho, with measured gusts of 80–100 mph (approximately 130–160 km/h) and ping-pong ball-sized hail in some locations.
Damage was concentrated on uprooted trees, downed power lines, and blocked roads. Hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity at peak (nearly 290,000 ComEd customers in the Chicagoland area and more than 270,000 NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana). Temporary ground stops affected both O’Hare and Midway airports. Localized flooding was also reported, notably in Flossmoor. Emergency services and utility crews mobilized quickly to secure affected areas and begin restoring power.
Resident videos and eyewitness accounts documented darkened skies, warning sirens, and the force of the winds, though the human impact remained limited based on available information by the end of the day.
While material damage is significant and full recovery will take time, the event highlights the effectiveness of modern warning systems and the ongoing need for preparedness amid increasingly frequent severe storms. Authorities continue assessing impacts and urging caution. Chicago and its suburbs are already beginning the recovery process, supported by community solidarity and the efforts of response teams on the ground.