Tornado Touches Down Near O'Hare: National Weather Service

ILLINOIS — A tornado warning in effect for Cook County until 7:45 was allowed to expire early, but the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down near O'Hare airport.

All other tornado warnings had also expired, but the National Weather Service wasn't giving the Chicago area the all clear just yet, tweeting, "Our forecast area is currently tornado warning free! We are still monitoring a few areas of weak rotation along a line over Central Cook, County so we are not ready to give the all clear just yet though chances are decreasing."

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez of the 33rd Ward tweeted that she was in the airport when the tornado touched down, writing, "I’m at O’Hare in terminal 1 and everyone is being sent to shelter downstairs in the tunnel. Lots of people in here." By 7:22 p.m., she said the shelter in place had been lifted.

WCIA meteorologist Kevin Lighty said damage was reported to warehouses west of O'Hare.

Also Read: Possible Tornado Captured On Video In Southwest Suburbs

Earlier, a tornado watch was issued for the Chicago area as the risk of tornadoes increases with severe weather expected on Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch was originally in effect until 10 p.m. for Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, La Salle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago counties. But shortly after 7 p.m., the tornado watch area was narrowed to Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, and Will counties.

The weather service said the highest threat for tornadoes is between Interstate 80 and the Wisconsin-Illinois border.

Storms could also bring periods of heavy rain, which could result in more flash flooding, especially in the Chicago metro area, according to the weather service.

DuPage, Cook and Will counties remain under a flash flood watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday. The weather service said creeks and streams could rise out of their banks, and flooding could occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Central Cook County has the highest threat of flash flooding if heavy storms do occur, the weather service said.

Storm chances will continue through the week, NWS said.