Fallen trees crashed into homes and cars and power lines littered streets in the Chicago area. Many residents were left in the dark early Thursday morning after 70-miles-per-hour winds whipped around.
At the height of the storm, Commonwealth Edison said 10,000 customers lost power. By 4 p.m., Commonwealth Edison said 1,100 in Des Plaines, Rosemont and Park Ridge still did not have electricity.
The storms left significant damage in the northwest suburbs. With large trees and wires in Des Plaines, residents spent the day cleaning up the debris.
Neighbors of an elderly woman decided to pitch in and clean up her lawn, removing all of the dead branches.
"It is pretty bad. The trees blocked the entire house. We came over to help out," said Steve Given.
"There was supposedly a microburst. It could have been worse, I guess. I had a cable down. Had to call Comcast this morning. So I called them and they will be out Saturday," said Jason Adams.
Roger and Virginia Petersen have lived in the area for more than 50 years and say this storm is the worst they have ever experienced.
"I guess we heard the wind was 70 miles per hour," Roger Peterson said. "Thunder and lightning, 70-mile-per-hour winds, it got things going pretty good."
"I'm very tired. We have been working out here all day. A lot of branches fell in the yard," said Virginia Peterson.
The storm brought residents together in the aftermath.
"Everyone is out trying to work. These nice people are across the street helping out in the neighborhood. It is nice," said Chris Else.
ComEd is attempting to restore power to the area businesses that lost power.
