A series of tornados ripped through the Fox Valley Wednesday evening, causing significant damage in some areas.
A line of violent storms swept through the area from 5pm to 7pm Wednesday evening, spawning multiple tornados. Many of the tornados were in very close proximity to each other, produced by what meteorologists call “supercells,” unique storms that contain updrafts that rotate about a vertical axis.
Preliminary estimates by the National Weather Service indicate that as many has eight tornadoes may have touched down in the Chicago area, with Elgin and South Elgin being particularly hard hit.
Elgin police issued a statement identifying reports of a tornado touchdown in the Edgewater (Del Webb) subdivision at Bowes and Randall Roads. Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the area at 6:28 p.m. Nineteen homes in the vicinity of the 2800 block of Stoney Creek Drive were affected. Ten sustained significant damage and nine sustained cosmetic damage.
A canvass of the area confirmed that all residents were accounted for and no injuries are being reported.
In Huntley, two apartment buildings in the Bakely subdivision were badly damaged, one losing its roof to an apparent tornado. Each building holds four units, meaning eight families were displaced by the damage, but fire officials said no injuries were reported.
Authorities said firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, trees and tree branches, and power outages had been reported. Building damage appeared concentrated to area near the Bakely subdivision.
The NWS also indicated a touchdown in Lily Lake. No damage assessments are available yet.
