Significant damage caused by severe storms today in Elgin and other Chicago areas; High Wind Warning remains in effect

CHICAGO (WLS) — Severe storms caused damage across the area Chicago area late Friday night into Saturday morning.

Some of the worst damage was in the northwest and west suburbs, where trees fell on top of homes and vehicles.

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This storm was more spotty and less concentrated than others.

Elgin was among the areas that saw damage overnight.

The Elgin Fire Department responded to multiple reports of storm-related damage, including downed trees, after a storm hit the area.

The First United Methodist Church suffered severe damage when strong winds tore the roof off the historic 100-year-old building. The church has been a cornerstone of the Elgin community for over 187 years. Tragically, the original church structure was demolished in a devastating tornado on March 28, 1920.

Parts of Will and DeKalb counties saw some damage, too. A barn was destroyed in DeKalb County.

Multiple Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued across the Chicago area overnight, but have since expired.

ABC7 Chicago AccuWeather Meteorologist Tracy Butler said there have not been any confirmed tornado reports in the Chicago area.

As of 5 a.m. Saturday, more than 10,000 ComEd customers were without power across the Chicago area.

Although the recent storms have passed, meteorologists anticipate a rapid increase in wind speeds on Saturday. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are forecasted for the morning and early afternoon, posing potential risks.

A High Wind Warning is in effect until noon Saturday for most counties in the Chicago area.

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday for most counties in the Chicago area.

High winds could play havoc with St. Pat’s celebrations

It’s a big weekend to be outside with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations going on all across Chicago.

The anticipated high winds have raised concerns, especially with thousands of people expected to converge in downtown areas and across the city for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. It is crucial for event organizers and attendees to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

ComEd said they are on alert, and one restaurant ABC7 spoke to said they have taken extra steps to ensure everyone is safe Saturday.

“I want to see the river green and people have a good time,” said Kevin Loango, who is traveling from Los Angeles.

People from near and far are expected to make their way downtown to see the Chicago River dyed green and the St. Patrick’s Day parade step off Saturday. While temperatures are expected to be pleasant, the strong winds, not so much.

The timing is far from ideal, as many plan to take part of festivities and flood the city in green.

Beatnik on the River is hosting their first ever St. Patrick’s Day party on Saturday. They’ve set up a tent on the sidewalk, and have extra reinforcement to hold it down due to possible high winds.

‘We do have the tent, it is fortified with cinderblocks every few feet, and we do have an emergency plan in place in the event the winds go above 45,” Beatnik general manager Aly Quider said.

The City’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said they are keeping an eye on the weather conditions, and the potential for damage and down tree limbs.

The same goes for ComEd. The utility company says they have been watching the forecast and have extra crews in place, as well as contactors in the event power outages take place.

“Safety is the top priority,” ComEd spokesperson John Schoen said. “I would say that people need to be aware of your surroundings, if they see downed power lines you should not approach them. Just because the line isn’t sparking it doesn’t mean it isn’t live.”

Spectators say they will be on alert Saturday, but also will not let the weather dampen their celebrations.

“We are trying to pace ourselves, but it’s kind of hard,” said Jose from Atlanta.

Chief O’Neill’s has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for decades. The entire restaurant is decked out in green and ready to go.

The owners say they are so excited to spread some Irish cheer, but are also keeping a very close eye on that windy forecast.

Siobhan McKinney said her Northwest Side Irish restaurant Chief O’Neill’s is ready for whatever blows their way.

“We’ve weathered many storms, so we’re pretty sure everybody will be okay and that everybody will be safe. So hopefully everything will go well,” McKinney said.

Chief O’Neill’s, like many bars and restaurants across Chicago this weekend, have set up large tents to accommodate as many people as possible celebrating the holiday.

Massive cement blocks and beams are holding the expansive tent in place.

McKinney says they have a contingency plan in place should the weather take an unexpected turn.

“We’ll be watching the weather very closely,” McKinney said. “Some people will probably have to leave unfortunately and we can accommodate a lot of people in our dining room and in the pub.”

And with thousands of people planning to line Columbus Drive for the 70th annual downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade and for the dyeing of the Chicago River, city emergency leaders are issuing a public heads up before the festivities get underway.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Control wrote, in part, “OEMC will monitor all citywide events through a collaboration with public safety partners and will issue several alerts and notifications to keep residents up to date on weather conditions, street closures and emergencies.”

People getting in on the fun and all the green have this advice ahead of a windy St. Pat’s.

“If you’re going in a group, stay together it will be busy, it will be packed,” Cassie Adams said.

The owner’s of Chief O’Neill’s also said that if the winds gust up to a certain speed people inside the tent have to get out from under it. Of course, they are hopeful everything will go as planned.

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