Flooding and Power Outages Hit Chicago Area After Severe Storms

Severe thunderstorms swept across the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana on the evening of Wednesday, June 24, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding that left a trail of damage from the northwest suburbs to communities across the state line. According to FOX 32 Chicago, reports of downed trees, flooded streets, and power outages stretched from Streamwood in Illinois to Merrillville in Indiana. By Thursday morning, ComEd reported more than 2,500 customers still without power in the Chicago area, while NIPSCO reported more than 22,500 outages in northwestern Indiana.

Bartlett Hit Again, Two Weeks After Tornado

In Bartlett, Illinois, village officials reported extensive damage from fallen trees and downed power lines, particularly on the town's north side. The storm arrived just two weeks after an EF-1 tornado had carved through the same area, compounding the strain on a community still in recovery. NBC Chicago reported that multiple suburbs across the region reported similar scenes of damage, with emergency crews working through the night to clear debris and restore access to blocked roads.

In the Beverly neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, the storm caused severe flooding and knocked out power to approximately 1,800 households, as reported by Block Club Chicago. Images from the area showed streets submerged and basements taking on water, a recurring challenge in a region where aging drainage infrastructure is frequently overwhelmed by intense summer rainfall. The flooding added a second layer of urgency to the restoration effort, as utility crews had to contend with water-damaged equipment and submerged access points.

Restoration Underway Across Two States

The storm's impact was felt across state lines, with Merrillville, Indiana, among the hardest-hit communities. Flooding and power outages affected numerous neighborhoods, and NIPSCO's outage numbers climbed steadily through the night. By Thursday morning, the utility had mobilized crews across its service territory, but the combination of wind damage and flood-blocked roads slowed progress in the hardest-hit pockets.

The Chicago area storm followed a pattern that has defined much of June across the Midwest: a powerful thunderstorm complex develops in the late afternoon heat, sweeps through heavily populated areas during the evening hours, and leaves a scattered but significant trail of damage that takes days to fully repair. For the families in Bartlett, Beverly, and Merrillville waiting through the night and into Thursday, the hours without power meant spoiled food, disrupted routines, and the familiar search for backup plans.

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