Widespread power outages, halts to train service, flight cancellations and downed trees impacted the Chicago area Thursday morning as another round of potentially severe weather draws closer.
Roughly an inch of rain fell throughout the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon with wind speeds reaching over 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The potential for more severe weather Thursday creates a risk for flash flooding.
“We’ve already had at least some minor flooding and ponding issues around much of the metro from last night,” said Kevin Doom, a meteorologist with the weather service. “While a lot of that is receded now, you know that water is still in the ground … so the area is essentially a little bit more susceptible to flooding.”
Wednesday’s storms were caused by a “large, prolific storm system” over southern and central Canada moving toward the Midwest, according to the weather service. The system has been blowing humid air toward the region, which sets the stage for severe thunderstorms Thursday.
“It’s gonna be real hot, real humid today so it’s very similar to yesterday,” Doom said. “It’s a cyclic pattern of [a] prime severe weather environment.”
No watches or advisories were immediately in effect as of early Thursday morning, but Doom anticipates showers from a system moving east through Iowa early in the afternoon before the “main show” approaches sometime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Doom notes it’s difficult to determine whether Thursday’s round of storms will be worse than Wednesday, but he doesn’t rule out the possibility.
“It’s tough to say if the strongest storms are going to be real widespread or if they’re going to target a particular area,” Doom said. “But I will say the environment in general actually looks a little bit better for severe weather than it did yesterday.”
The impact of Wednesday’s storms were still being felt throughout the Chicago area. Over 172,000 ComEd customers remain without power as of 8:50 a.m. Thursday, according to the agency’s power outage map.
At O’Hare International Airport, at least 54 flights have been canceled while another 130 have been delayed as of 9 a.m., according to FlightAware. At Midway, at least 37 flights were delayed.
On the ground, CTA Yellow Line trains were on the move again after service was halted for roughly two hours early Thursday after a tree limb fell onto the tracks near the Oakton station in Skokie after heavy thunderstorms and wind raced through the area overnight.
The service suspension was first announced around 5:40 a.m. and trains were running with residual delays by about 7:50 a.m., according to an alert from CTA.
The Markham Courthouse was temporarily closed due to a power outage from Wednesday’s storms and some cases slated for Thursday were being moved to the Fifth Municipal District Courthouse in Bridgeview.
“Our priority is ensuring the safety of litigants, attorneys, court employees, and members of the public while maintaining access to essential court services,” said Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II in a statement announcing the closure. “The Court has taken steps to ensure that emergency matters, including criminal initial appearances and petitions seeking protective orders, continue to be heard without interruption during this temporary closure.”
Additionally, Branches 35 and 38 of the Circuit Court of Cook County also were impacted by a weather related power outage to their building at 727 E. 111th St. and all cases scheduled for Thursday will now be heard June 25, according to a press release from the Chief Judge’s Office.
Doom urges residents and commuters to remain aware of the forecast in their areas and act proactively by moving vehicles to their garages or bringing loose objects inside.
“We really want people to just keep an eye and take care of themselves and keep an eye on how things are evolving here later this afternoon,” Doom said.
This is a developing story, check back for further details.