Tornado Damages Homes in Kankakee County, Illinois

A powerful tornado tore through Kankakee County, Illinois, about 50 miles south of Chicago, on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure while prompting urgent warnings for residents to seek shelter.

The twister touched down around 6:30 p.m. near the Kankakee County Fairgrounds, south of Kankakee city, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. It moved northeast at about 25 miles per hour, crossing the Kankakee River into the village of Aroma Park before continuing toward Hopkins Park and potentially affecting nearby communities like Momence. The storm also extended into Newton County, Indiana, as part of a broader severe weather system that battered the Chicago area and northwest Indiana with high winds, heavy rain and hail ranging from golf ball to softball size.

Officials reported widespread destruction in its path. In Aroma Park, a home suffered a partially torn-off roof, collapsed walls and scattered debris, including furniture pieces. Videos from the area showed roofs completely ripped from structures near West Industrial Park Drive and Stuart Drive in Kankakee, as well as damage to a solar farm north of Aroma Park. Trees...