Overview
- The FAA slowed departures at O’Hare after heavy winds impaired Airport Surface Detection Equipment, leading to hundreds of delays with average waits around 80 to 85 minutes.
- A ground stop ran roughly 6:15 to 7:15 a.m., and the FAA later indicated delays could continue into the evening as technicians worked on the issue.
- Gusts reached into the 60s mph at Valparaiso, DuPage and Rockford while O’Hare and Midway logged peaks in the 50s under a High Wind Warning in effect until 4 p.m.
- ComEd reported thousands without power and said crews had already restored service for more than 55,000 customers during the morning.
- Damage reports included downed trees across the region and roofs torn from a Niles school and an Elmhurst apartment building, and Indiana banned high‑profile vehicles on the Toll Road until 6 p.m.