Following severe storms that packed 74 mph winds and dropped up to 3 inches of rain, Chicago faces renewed severe weather threats on Monday, August 10, 2026. Hundreds of thousands of residents experienced power outages as heavy downpours, hail, and isolated tornadoes threatened the region through the midweek.
Multiple rounds of powerful storms left a trail of flooded basements, downed trees, and widespread power disruptions across Chicagoland, prompting emergency responders and utility crews to work around the clock. The storms brought peak wind gusts reaching 74 mph alongside 3 inches of rain recorded at Midway Airport, while O’Hare Airport picked up roughly 2 inches of rainfall by late Monday afternoon, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist as reported by Block Club Chicago.
Utility infrastructure bore the brunt of the severe weather. ComEd reported that more than 530,000 customers experienced power outages across northern Illinois. Crews restored service to about 300,000 customers by Tuesday morning, with the company aiming to restore power to 80 percent of customers by noon Wednesday. Meanwhile, public works crews in northwest suburban Arlington Heights deployed immediately after the storms passed to clear blocked roadways, enabling utility vehicles to reach downed lines, according to village officials cited by Nexstar Media.
Property Damage Mounts Across Neighborhoods and Businesses
The destructive winds and falling limbs battered vehicles and homes throughout the area. In the Beverly neighborhood, resident Chuck Gill watched a branch crash down onto his car.
“It was like a burst. It lasted like a minute, and all of a sudden I looked out and [the branch] is on my car.”
Chuck Gill, Beverly resident, via Block Club Chicago
Gill noted that the Beverly area had already weathered significant weather-related damage in recent months, including two major storms in mid-June that contributed to a monthly rainfall total of 5 inches against a typical 4-inch June average. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with his damaged vehicle.
Commercial properties also sustained heavy hits. In Belmont Cragin, a downed power line crashed directly into vehicles parked at a Meineke Car Care Center. Store manager Charles McDonald described extensive damage, noting that electrical sparks burned a hole through a car hood while a utility pole pierced another vehicle’s roof and windshield. Although the business lost power, utility workers promptly restored service.
Emergency Services Stretch Thin as Basement Flooding Surges
By 4 p.m. Monday, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications logged hundreds of service calls. The agency received 238 calls for water in basements, 286 calls for water pooling on streets, 17 calls for flooded viaducts, and more than 770 tree emergency requests.
Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard previously outlined city priorities, noting that trees blocking active roadways take precedence, whereas trees falling on parked cars are classified as non-emergencies and addressed later. Residents were advised to report property damage and standing water by calling 311 or visiting 311.chicago.gov.
Basement waterproofing experts warned residents to exercise extreme caution regarding standing water. Roy Spencer, founder and president of Perma-Seal, cautioned that floodwaters can harbor exposed electrical lines and advised residents to verify their power is shut off before entering a flooded basement, or to contact ComEd for assistance. Spencer identified sump pump failure as the primary culprit behind basement inundation, pointing out that unchecked groundwater quickly overwhelms foundations when pumps fail.
Forecasters Warn of Continued Severe Weather Waves
The hazardous weather pattern shows little sign of immediate relief. Following overnight tornado warnings and at least one radar-confirmed tornado touchdown on Sunday night, meteorologists warned that additional rounds of severe storms would target the region.
“Damaging winds, hail risk, isolated tornadoes, heavy rainfall – all the threats are on the table. We’ll keep you updated if any watches or warnings are issued for sure.”
Pete Sack, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist, via NBC Chicago
The National Weather Service placed much of the area under a level two out of five slight risk for severe weather, cautioning that storms could produce damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding. ABC7 Meteorologist Tracy Butler noted that warm, humid conditions would fuel afternoon storms stretching into the evening and lingering into Tuesday morning.
Forecasters warn that Tuesday’s storm system could prove even more potent. The National Weather Service reported that incoming storms may develop into an organized line or bow capable of producing destructive winds, extending a stormy pattern through mid-week with additional severe storms and instances of flooding possible beyond Tuesday.
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