Power Outages, Downed Limbs Reported After Storms Hit Will and Kendall Counties

Updated at 7:30 a.m. July 1:

A second line of storms rolled into Will and Kendall counties Monday night, complete with high winds that caused power outages and downed tree limbs and power lines.

Sirens sounded in some areas after a tornado warning was issued, effective until 10:30 p.m. 

The National Weather Service reported winds of 85 mph in Romeoville, while WGN reported debris blocking roads near Lewis University. Late Monday, the Village of Romeoville issued an alert letting residents know it had opened its Emergency Operations Command Center:

"The Village of Romeoville has opened the Emergency Operations Command Center. Several reports of downed trees have been reported. Public Works Crews are throughout the community clearing streets," the village said. "Flooded areas include Arlington and Dalhart. Residents are advised to stay away from flooded areas as there are several electrical lines down. ComEd has not provided an estimate for restore of power outages at this time. For emergencies please call 911 for all other issues, please call the Romeoville Police at 815-886-7219."
In Joliet, there were reports of downed power lines and tree limbs, including power lines down in the 500 block of Cass Street, the 900 block of Dawes and the 2600 block of Campbell, according to the Herald-News.

Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said sirens were not activated in the village, and damage was "very minimal" following the storms. Shortly before 11 p.m., he said public works crews were working to clear limbs off the roadway on 143rd Street and Route 126, but no roads were closed. "We've got a lot of guys using chain saws, clearing limbs off the road," he said.

Early Tuesday, Stratton said Plainfield's The Reserve subdivision, located north and south of Route 126 and west of I-55, was particularly hard hit by the storms, which many reports of large trees down, as well as siding that had come loose from homes.

While the DuPage River was rising, Stratton said it was not at flood level as of about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

On Facebook, Bolingbrook residents reported high winds, but no tornado sirens. Bolingbrook Police Lt. Mike Rompa said dispatchers were extremely busy with 911 calls about the storm, with many neighborhoods reporting power outages. Numerous trees also fell in the storm, blocking roadways, and minor flooding was reported on some streets, he said.

A flood warning for the east branch of the DuPage River in Bolingbrook was issued early Tuesday, effective until Wednesday morning. The river had already reached its flood stage of 19.5 feet, and minor flooding was occurring, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS said the river would likely reach 20 feet by Tuesday afternoon before falling below flood stage early Wednesday.

Continued power outages prompted Valley View School District officials to cancel summer classes on Tuesday.

In Oswego, Capt. Jeff Burgner said no funnel clouds were spotted, but officials made the decision to activate tornado sirens after receiving information of possible tornadoes by another area emergency management agency. The National Weather Service reported measuring a 75 mph wind gust in Oswego.

While lots of tree limbs were down in the village, Burgner said no major roads were closed.

Shortly after 10 p.m., the Joliet Weather Center reported that the tornado threat had ended in the Joliet area, with storms moving east.

"The reason for the tornado warning issued was this intense squall line creating strong rotation on the leading edge, which pushed right through Plainfield, Joliet, Lockport, New Lenox and central Will County," the weather center reported. "Small brief tornadoes could have easily spun up and would have been rain-wrapped and not visible. With this intense line and threat of brief tornadoes was winds that became greater than hurricane force. Reports from Joliet, New Lenox and Lockport clocked winds over 80mph."

As of around 11 p.m., ComEd reported more than 900 customers without power in Joliet, 880 in Plainfield, 700 in Oswego and 775 in Bolingbrook.