Severe thunderstorms keep emergency crews busy

Thunderstorms whipped through DeKalb County and much of the northern Illinois region Friday, producing strong winds and scattered hail.

The National Weather Service issued multiple watches or warnings throughout the day to let residents know about severe storms and possible flash flooding that could occur in the county.

Just over 1 inch of rain had fallen between midnight and 8 p.m., according to the meteorology department at Northern Illinois University. Winds of up to 60 miles per hour were also recorded in DeKalb County, according to the National Weather Service.

And while several people reported possible funnel clouds in the late afternoon and evening, NIU meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said they were actually just low clouds that were not rotating.

Reports of an early morning tornado sighting on Friday in Huntley were inaccurate, National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Marsili said Friday afternoon.

“We have been getting a few funnel cloud reports, but nothing touching the ground,” Marsili said, noting that most were seen northeast of DeKalb near Union. “So far, all those cloud rotations have been short-lived on the radar.”

The storms were courtesy of a warm front – it moved through Thursday – meeting a cool front that was moving in Friday from the western U.S., he said. The colliding air temperatures are expected to produce more storms and rainfall throughout next week, Marsili added.

The weather kept emergency crews busy Friday afternoon and evening responding to reports of downed trees or power lines. ComEd spokeswoman Marie Turrell said about 5,500 customers are without power Friday by afternoon, but most were in the Chicago area.

The storms were scheduled to end early today, and Sebenste said the weekend would see temperatures in the 80s both Saturday and Sunday.



• The Associated Press contributed to this report.