Chicago weather: Strong storms move through area, some storm damage reported
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Strong storms Friday night triggered thunderstorm and tornado warnings.
There was a brief tornado warning issued in the west and northwest suburbs but it was canceled before 9:30 p.m. The National Weather Service said an observed tornado was seen over Glen Ellyn at about 9:08 p.m.
Heavy downpours and strong winds led to reports of downed trees and branches, and debris on the road in the suburbs.
ABC7 Meteorologist Phil Schwarz said while the rotation was not as tight and the wind speeds not as strong as the system that produced 13 confirmed tornado touchdowns earlier this week, he still expects that there would be wind damage from the line of storms. Winds of up to 70 miles per hour were reported.
Some left over showers will continue into Saturday morning before ending. There could still be pop-up storms on Saturday afternoon, but no severe weather is expected then.
This comes after 13 tornadoes touched down in parts of the Chicago area Wednesday, as residents continue to clean up the damage.
The tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service occurred in:
1. Burr Ridge to Stickney: EF 1
2. Elgin: EF-1
3. Huntley: EF-1
4. Elgin: EF-0
5. Oswego: EF-0
6. Barrington: EF-0
7. Long Grove: EF-0
8. Carol Stream to Glendale Heights: EF-0
9. Itasca to O'Hare: EF-0
10. O'Hare to Des Plaines: EF-0
11. Streamwood: EF-0
12. Schaumburg: EF-0
13. Loves Park in Caledonia Township/Boone County: EF-0
A huge clean-up effort is still underway in communities where the tornadoes touched down, including Elgin and Countryside.
Homeowners are dealing with a lot of downed trees that remain, but neighbors said progress is being made.
Friday morning, wood chippers hummed in Elgin near Hopi Lane and Koshare Trail where a home is missing part of its roof.
Eleanor Jasica lost several old trees.
"I think they're probably 200 years old, I don't know," Jasica said. "I'm out here 40 years but I don't know these trees are old but you can't stop mother nature."
Chopper 7HD captured the path of the tornadoes, which left a visible scar on the area.
Some neighborhoods are surrounded by mounds of branches and debris, but the clean-up process is moving along compared to Thursday.
"There was so many trees across... there was two places you couldn't even get down, so today, like, I don't think we have a lot," Elgin resident Margo Rodriguez said. "We have a lot of busy work around the yard to do but we're really pretty caught up on everything."
In Countryside, Tim and Jean Chervinko were called away from their vacation on a lake in Minnesota after receiving word a tornado tore through their neighborhood.
"We drove 10 hours to get home yesterday. I already had friends and family put a generator in my backyard and clean up the drive way so we could get in," Tim said.
Two trees missed their home by an inch, and with the exception of some torn siding the family is thankful there is minimal damage.
"I was happy to have a home to come home to," Jean said.
Close to 70 homes received minimal damage. Only one home had its roof blown off and was deemed uninhabitable.
"But the number of trees? We don't know how many were damaged, unfortunately we did lose some beautiful blacks oaks and black walnuts," said Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott.
McDermott said as of Friday over 60% of the debris have been cleaned up, and thanked neighboring communities and Countryside residents for helping neighbors get it done so quickly.
Meanwhile Elgin's Mayor spoke with members of the Del Webb community, where at least 20 homes were hit - some now uninhabitable.
Thursday afternoon, Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain spoke with members of the Del Webb community, where at least 20 homes were hit, with some now uninhabitable.
"We want to get people back in their homes as quickly as possible," Mayor Kaptain said. "If your home is going to need to be repaired and fixed, we will help you."
The severe weather this week is not just leaving a physical mark, but an emotional one as well. Some like Phyllis Scamardi cringed as more rain and dark skies descended Friday morning.
"I wanna get home and get to my basement," Scamardi said. "That's what I wanna do."
Those in need of housing are being encouraged to contact the American Red Cross of Illinois.
Meanwhile, city officials said residents who would like to help can make donations to Food for Greater Elgin.
