(Above, Woodridge; photo credit Matt Smith
below, Naperville; credit Reza Jaddi)
6:40 Update – City of Naperville Releases Statement
The City of Naperville issued the following statement this morning:
On Sunday, June 20 at approximately 11:10 p.m., reports of a tornado touchdown in the area just south of 75th Street and Ranchview Drive came into the City’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) center. Tornado sirens were activated at 11:07 p.m. Fire and Police personnel were dispatched to the area at 11:28 p.m. Five people were transported to Edward Hospital; one is listed in critical condition while the other four sustained non-critical injuries.
The area sustained damage to houses and has downed power lines and fallen trees. Sixteen houses have been deemed uninhabitable by the City’s Transportation, Engineering and Development (TED) Business Group. TED inspectors will continue to inspect property damage this morning. As of 5 a.m., the City has received 125 reports of property damage within the tornado area. Ten people from three homes were taken to a relocation point, and the Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting the displaced families.
Electric and Public Works staff were also dispatched to the area once allowed to do so by Police and Fire personnel. Nicor was immediately brought into the area to shut off gas to the effected homes; at approximately 2:05 a.m. they reported there were no active gas leaks.
Multiple utility poles on Bailey Road were downed during the storm. Currently approximately 450 customers are without power in the area of Bailey Road to the north, Washington to the west, Naper Boulevard to the east and Bourbon Lane to the south. The poles and the lines will need to be replaced before power can be restored to area. The Electric Utility currently estimates restoration to occur by midnight.
Bailey Road is currently closed between Washington and Naper Blvd., and 77th Street is closed at Muirhead and Wehrli. Please avoid this area. Public Works crews have been working to clear trees from roadways and estimate over 100 parkway trees were damaged. Ranchview Drive is clear and open. City crews, including Police and Fire personnel, will continue to be in this neighborhood throughout the day.
The City will release another update this afternoon.
6:20am Update
- Naperville Fire Chief Mark Pucknaitis says that at least six people suffered injuries during the storm, but all were considered to be minor at this time.
Update: Another photo from Woodridge
Screenshot of video capturing Woodridge tornado at approx 1130pm (credit Daily Rose)
- City of Aurora announced only minor damage to trees and power lines.
Cinnamon Creek and Thornberry Woods off of 75th. (credit Megan Mathenia)
Tornados and severe thunderstorms rolled through the region last night causing widespread damage.
The Village of Woodridge issued a news release at approximately 4am this morning indicated that “at approximately 11:30 p.m., a tornado touched down east of Route 53 between 83rd Street and 75th Street in Woodridge. The tornado traveled east to the Lemont Road area of Woodridge. The Village of Woodridge is assisting those affected by the tornado and assessing the damage. At this time, there are no reports of significant injuries.”
The release went on to indicate that damage was “significant,” and that people should avoid the area due to downed power lines and fallen trees.
There are initial indications of significant damage in Naperville as well, as photos are circulating throughout social media purporting to show houses with significant damage, if not completely destroyed.
There is no word yet on any injuries caused by the storm.
We will update as news comes in.
