National Weather Service Confirms Multiple Tornadoes, Including EF-3s, Across Illinois and Northwest Indiana

Overview

• NWS teams confirmed at least 17 tornadoes in the Chicago forecast area from last Thursday’s outbreak and a broader accounting that includes central Illinois raised the total to 26 reported twisters.
• Several of the strongest twisters were rated EF-3, with confirmed EF-3 damage in Streator, Illinois, Kouts, Indiana, and Washburn, Illinois, and other tornadoes ranged from EF-0 to EF-2.
• The storms also produced destructive straight-line winds, isolated large hail, and localized flooding that caused concentrated structural damage, major power outages, and flight and transit disruptions.
• Damage surveys and assessments are ongoing and utility crews are carrying out phased power restorations while local authorities continue sheltering and cleanup operations.
• The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornado strength by damage and an EF-3 denotes wind speeds high enough to severely damage homes and businesses, which helps explain why communities hit by these twisters face weeks of recovery and repair.