Several tornadoes reported in northern Illinois DeKalb, Kane counties, more severe weather possible Tuesday

CHICAGO (WLS) – Severe storms produced reported tornadoes as they devastated the Chicago area on Monday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service confirmed on Tuesday that the storm produced at least six tornadoes in parts of northern Illinois based on observer reports.

While the NWS is investigating the damage on Tuesday, four of the tornadoes are believed to be in or around DeKalb, another in Burlington and one possibly in Paw Paw.

Storm watchers in Kane County reported a brief tornado near Campton Hills just before 7 p.m. and another weak tornado near Lily Lake 6:44 p.m.

Kane County authorities have also reported possible tornado damage to a structure along Plank Road near Eagle Road near Burlington. There was heavy damage to the exposed houses.

“There is too much to digest to be honest with you,” said Greg Kmieciak, whose house was damaged. “I really didn’t even have the chance … I didn’t even look at my property, to be honest with you.”

Kmieciak was not at home when the storm hit, but his wife was.

“She called me and she said, ‘I think our house was hit by a tornado?’” He recalls. “And I say, ‘Really.'”

Fortunately, she was not injured when strong winds destroyed their roof.

“My eldest son who lives in Sycamore called her and said, ‘Are you in the basement’ and she said no. He said, ‘Go down to the basement now’, and luckily she did. ‘listened, “Kmieciak said.

Other damage in the area included an obliterated shed and damage to structures on a farm, as well as a massive half-century tree uprooted. The owner barely managed to get to safety.

“He was trying to close, you know, to close the hatches, to try to close his garage doors,” said friend Jake Stamper. “He kind of got caught in the middle of it.”

But he’s fine.

Kmieciak’s 25-year-old home is now considered dangerous, but he knows it could have been a lot worse.

“At the end of the day, my wife is safe. That’s all I care about,” he said. “The rest of this stuff can be fixed, can be replaced.”

WATCH | Tornado lands near Sycamore, damaging buildings

At 6:17 p.m., the National Weather Service said a confirmed tornado was located near Sycamore, moving east at 25 mph. Storm Chaser video showed a tornado landing and causing extensive damage to a house and barn, ABC7 meteorologist Phil Schwarz said.

Officials in Ogle County said a funnel cloud was seen two miles south of Kirkland.

WATCH | Funnel clouds spotted in DeKalb, Ogle counties

In McHenry County, storms ripped part of the roof of a townhouse and swept away part of a fence.

WATCH | Storms damage roof and fence in McHenry County

The storms even caused the air traffic control tower at O’Hare International Airport to be evacuated for about 20 minutes amid severe weather, the FAA said. Meanwhile, an Elgin-based facility has taken control of the tower airspace.

WATCH | ABC7 AccuWeather 7 day forecast

The main threat from severe weather will be between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., said Cheryl Scott, ABC7 meteorologist.

The entire Chicago area is subject to a “slight” risk – a level 2 in 5 – of inclement weather Monday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Slow thunderstorms moved through the northern suburbs on Monday morning, dumping about 2-3 inches of rain over parts of McHenry and Lake counties, Butler said.

Around the same time last year, a rare windstorm known as derecho swept across the Midwest, causing $ 7.5 billion in damage to Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana.

What is the difference between a funnel cloud and a tornado?

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