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We just returned from Italy on Sunday night. Our connecting flight from New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) was delayed by over four hours due to weather in the Chicago area. This was nothing compared to what passengers and employees had to endure at both of Chicago’s airports last night.
West Loop #chicago #tornado pic.twitter.com/QLJQKaLpXi
— justlurk1ng1 (@justlurk1ng1) July 16, 2024
We were home last night when our phones started blaring warnings and we could hear the tornado siren sounding not too far from us downtown. The wind began kicking up and we watched a traffic light, fence pieces, and signs blow through the West Loop. One of many tornadoes hit the area and thankfully it does not appear that damage was too severe around here. The video above shows a pool and its furniture blowing around just a few blocks from me. Overall, there were 16 warnings in the area.
Strong winds and possible #tornado through the #Chicago Loop. Revolving door to my building collapsed and a little debris came through after a gust. Very surreal to hear the sirens in downtown…let alone TWO nights in a row. Wild. #chiwx #ILwx pic.twitter.com/dpi72D5Jwr
— Imran Uraizee (@IUraizee3MD) July 16, 2024
Another example of just how strong this weather was downtown.
Sitting on the plane at Chicago ohare Ord as a tornado hits.
Airport is shut down but won’t let us use the jetway because of lightning.
So we sit here in a tin can with wings. #ord #chicago #tornado @SpiritAirlines pic.twitter.com/4x4h5SZEo1
— Jollyradar 🏴☠️ (@jollyradar) July 16, 2024
There has been a lot of lightning. Plane is still rocking back and forth pic.twitter.com/TXfUGvmLF2
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) July 16, 2024
Passengers at both Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) were in for a long night. Many had already boarded flights and taxied out. When the sirens were sounding these passengers were stuck as ground staff and those in the air traffic control towers needed to take shelter.
🚨O’Hare Int’l Airport—Tornado Warning #severeweatherwarning #ohareintlairport #tornado #summertravel #flightdelay #chicago #ORD pic.twitter.com/W5tLpmbPpe
— Emily Nordhausen (@EmilyNordhausen) July 13, 2023
Passengers inside Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) were advised to get away from the windows and to take shelter (many in the underground tunnel that connects Concourses B and C in Terminal 1).
Stay safe ! Visuals from the terminal of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) as passengers take shelter due to delayed or canceled flights at the Airport.
Tornado warning siren has gone off 3-4 times already in the area.
📹 Hannah Follman#Tornado #airport #flights pic.twitter.com/hWUBGEQDvu
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) July 13, 2023
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported at either airport and the weather has returned to normal. Flights began to cancel and United Airlines (who operates a hub at Chicago O’Hare) cancelled over 100 flights with 900 more delayed.
Anthony’s Take: It was scary looking out the window of my condo. I can’t imagine how it must have felt to be stuck at the airport or even worse on a plane. Mother Nature can show her fury at times and last night she took it out on the Chicago area.
(Featured Image Credit: @Hannah Follman via X.)
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