Two hospitals and 19 schools are in the path of a dangerous tornado heading towards the United States. The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a Tornado Warning stating that a large and extremely dangerous tornado is moving east at 25 miles per hour over Kankakee, Illinois.
A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Warning is now in effect until 7pm local time for southeastern Kankakee County, including Aroma Park. Residents are advised to seek shelter as baseball-sized hail is reported in the area.
In addition to the tornado warning, a severe thunderstorm warning is active for Kankakee, Bourbonnais, and Bradley, Illinois, with hail potentially reaching the size of a large apple, posing a life-threatening situation.
Videos depicting significant damage in Kankakee County after the tornado hit show destroyed homes, fallen trees, and debris strewn across neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, parts of the Chicago area and northwest Indiana were placed under a Tornado Watch due to severe storms expected late Tuesday into early Wednesday. The potential for strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds was noted, although the focus shifted more towards hail size and storm timing rather than confirmed tornado reports.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Cook County, including Chicago, and DuPage County until 6:45 p.m. CDT, with the possibility of ping-pong-ball-sized hail. Reports of large hail, ranging from golf-ball to tennis-ball size, were received in various locations.
Northern Will County, southwest Cook County, and a portion of southern DuPage County were under a separate severe thunderstorm warning until 6 p.m. CDT, highlighting large hail as the main threat. A broader severe thunderstorm watch encompassing northern Illinois, the Chicago area, and northwest Indiana remained in effect until midnight.
