Chicago Area Tornadoes Set Annual Record With 69 in 2026

At least four tornadoes, including a powerful EF2, tore through the Chicago area and northwest Indiana on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as part of a strong derecho storm system that left widespread damage, cut power to hundreds of thousands, and set a new annual record for twisters in the region. The National Weather Service confirmed the fourth tornado on Wednesday, bringing the total for the Chicago area in 2026 to 69, surpassing the previous all-time record of 63 set in 2024.

The most significant tornado was an EF2 that tracked from eastern Will County near Monee through Crete and into St. John, Indiana. Initially classified as an EF1, survey crews upgraded it to an EF2 on Wednesday after finding damage consistent with winds between 111 and 135 mph. A second EF1 tornado struck southern Cook County and the Will County border, moving from near southern Orland Park toward Flossmoor and Munster, Indiana, and hitting Tinley Park along its path. A third EF1 tornado touched down in northeast Will County, striking Moneka. The fourth confirmed twister was also an EF1.

The storms were officially classified as a derecho by the Storm Prediction Center. The system produced wind gusts as high...