Severe weather swept across parts of the Midwestern United States on Thursday, prompting a tornado warning for Chicago and causing widespread disruptions to air travel and electricity supply.
Late in the evening, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning covering Chicago and surrounding areas. Residents were warned about dangerous flying debris and advised to seek shelter immediately as storm conditions intensified.
Millions under severe weather threat
The weather system has placed a large section of the Midwest under alert. Tornado watches remain in effect across parts of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, while flood watches extend across a wider region stretching from Wisconsin to Missouri.
According to the US Storm Prediction Center, more than 11.4 million people, including those living in Chicago, face a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.
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Meteorologists warned that the atmosphere remained favourable for additional storm activity.
“They got whacked yesterday and we are expecting two waves today,” said Tyler Roys, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc, per a report by NDTV.
“The atmosphere is still primed for Chicago later this afternoon.”
Final moments of the tornado that hit Streator, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/tCbeip9Atm
— Nate (@nse_wx) June 11, 2026
Hundreds of flights grounded
The severe weather had an immediate impact on air travel, particularly in Chicago.
As of 4.30 pm New York time, 925 flights had been cancelled across the United States. Of those, 598 were departures or arrivals linked to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, NDTV reported.
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The Federal Aviation Administration warned of delays at the airport because of thunderstorms moving through the area.
The disruption extended beyond the Midwest. New York's LaGuardia Airport reported 99 cancelled flights as weather-related delays rippled through the national aviation network.
8:32am CDT #SPC Public Severe Weather Outlook #PWO concerning #iawx #ilwx #inwx #miwx #mowx #wiwx https://t.co/X02oTKY9p0 pic.twitter.com/opbaFuO2jg
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) June 11, 2026
Power outages affect thousands
The storms also knocked out electricity to a large number of homes and businesses. Data from PowerOutage.com showed that more than 250,000 customers across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania were without power, per NDTV report.
The latest storm outbreak comes amid a costly year for extreme weather in the United States.
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According to the Insurance Information Institute, severe storms resulted in $51 billion in insured losses in 2025. Total economic losses exceeded $68 billion, making it the third consecutive year in which storm-related losses crossed the $50 billion mark.
The industry group noted that severe storms have caused “more than any other category of natural disaster”.
