CHICAGO- Severe weather struck Chicago on Monday night, causing major disruptions. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) issued a ground stop, halting flights. Several Metra train lines stopped running due to high winds. The storm brought wind gusts over 80 mph to the area.
Interstate 55 closed in both directions in Will County after multiple crashes. Downed power lines blocked all lanes, with no estimate for reopening.
Chicago Airport Ground Stop
The Union Pacific North, Milwaukee District North, Union Pacific West, and BNSF train lines all stopped or faced significant delays. SouthWest Service and Electric Line trains also experienced weather-related delays.
A tornado watch covered the entire area until 1 a.m. CT. Tornado warnings were issued for Kane, McHenry, and DuPage counties. The National Weather Service reported storms capable of producing golf ball-sized hail and 60 mph winds.
The weather service warned of a “complex of destructive storms” moving into northwest Illinois. They urged residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings and be ready to seek shelter if needed.
The Chicago area’s severe weather risk increased to “moderate,” level four out of five, up from the previous “enhanced” risk. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center predicted severe thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest, central High Plains, lower Great Lakes, and Arizona.
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Forecasters expected wind speeds up to 85 mph, with widespread gusts exceeding 60 mph. The storm system posed a significant threat to the region, causing widespread disruptions to transportation and daily life.
The severe weather event highlighted the importance of staying informed and prepared during dangerous weather conditions. Local authorities and weather services worked to keep residents updated and safe as the powerful storm system moved through the Chicago area.
American Plane Stuck on Tarmac
Chicago O’Hare International Airport faces a dangerous situation as severe weather strikes. Passengers on an American Airlines (AA) plane find themselves stranded on the apron during a powerful storm. The approaching tornado brings winds reaching up to 90 mph, creating a hazardous environment for everyone at the airport.
Courtney Mares, a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency, reports from inside the trapped aircraft. She describes the tense atmosphere as passengers receive multiple tornado warnings on their phones.
The situation grows more alarming when the captain announces that air traffic control and ground control have evacuated their posts.
The violent winds buffet the stationary plane, causing it to shake back and forth. This movement heightens the passengers’ anxiety as they remain helpless on the runway. American Airlines responds to the crisis, assuring passengers they will move the plane to a gate and evacuate everyone as soon as conditions permit.
Meanwhile, airport authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This decision aims to protect all individuals present at the facility from the dangerous weather outside. The order underscores the severity of the storm and the potential risks it poses to human life.
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