Severe storms leave damage behind in suburbs, NW Indiana; 4 tornadoes confirmed across Chicago area
EF-1 tornado damages homes in Cedar Lake, Indiana; high winds rip off roof of 100-year-old church in Elgin
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Severe storms caused damage across the area Chicago area late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Some of the worst damage was in northwest Indiana and in the northwest and west suburbs, where trees fell on top of homes and vehicles.
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The storm was more spotty and less concentrated than others.
The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that at least four tornadoes formed in the following areas overnight:
As of 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ComEd had restored power for 99% of the over 50,000 customers across the Chicago who lost power during the storms overnight.
ABC7 saw a lot of neighbors helping neighbors in Cedar Lake, Indiana, where the NWS confirmed an EF-1 tornado tore through when a tornado warning hit the area around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
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The roof of a Cedar Lake home caved, and the family told ABC7 they had just minutes to evacuate their home.
"It was probably 20 seconds from the time we realized we needed to leave the room until the trees came in," Steven Sich said.
The Sich family was just seconds and inches away from a tragedy, barely escaping their home.
People living on 134th and Osborne appeared to suffer some of the worst damage.
"Very quickly it changed to what was probably debris but it sounded like softballs being shot at the house and the wind... a lot of wind," Steven Sich said.
Thankfully, the Sich family evacuated the house safely, and they said it was shocking how quickly that tornado came through.
Brenda Sich recalled the terrifying moment she tried to get her brother to safety.
"I get the door open and he's pinned in his chair with the roof on him and covered in debris... and this far from his chest, it was coming right at him," Brenda Sich said. "I don't know if it was roof or a tree, so I'm picking it up, screaming, 'Get up, get up, get out of here.'"
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Now, the cleanup continues for the family and many others in the neighborhood.
"We're very close everyone helps everybody when we can," resident Lisa Ward said.
It's something that has turned into a full community effort.
"We've had people we don't know drop off food water clothes," Brenda Sich said. "I've had my phone going crazy, going with friends, family and coworkers... it's unbelievable."
Homeowners and neighbors are all coming together to clean up downed trees and downed roofs, but thankfully Cedar Lake police told ABC7 no one was injured overnight.
Elgin was also among the areas that saw damage overnight.
The Elgin Fire Department responded to multiple reports of storm-related damage, including downed trees, after a storm hit the area.
The First United Methodist Church was hardest hit as the winds ripped the roof off the 100-year-old church. The congregation has been in Elgin for over 187 years. The original church was hit by a deadly tornado and destroyed on March 28, 1920.
ABC7's Storm Tracker drove through Hanover Park on Saturday morning, capturing footage of downed trees.
Storms destroyed a barn in DeKalb County, and damage has been reported in Will County, too.
Multiple Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued across the Chicago area overnight, but have since expired.
And while the storms are over, Butler said winds are expected to pick up rather quickly on Saturday, with gusts 50 mph to 60 mph in the morning and early afternoon.
A Wind Advisory was in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday for much of the Chicago area. The advisory was issued for 25-30 mph winds with 40-50 mph gusts.
A High Wind Warning was in effect for much of the area earlier Saturday morning, but has since expired.
