Rain continues Wednesday and very windy conditions return Thursday and Friday across region.

Storm damage from a reported tornado and softball size hail early Tuesday afternoon was termed extensive in Kankakee County.

Residents around the Joliet area should look out for large size hail and hail damage and wind speeds gusting up to 60 mph.

The reported tornado caused heavy damage across a wide stretch of Aroma Township, as well as west, south and east Kankakee, damaging businesses and houses and toppling or heavily damaging a significant number of large trees. Numerous power lines were downed with outages reported.

Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, Kankakee County Board Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hildebrand, and Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis have filed an emergency declaration with the State of Illinois for disaster assistance

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Kendall, La Salle, DeKalb and Grundy counties that is expected to impact Ottawa, Marseilles, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Joliet and more.

Kankakee County, including Kankakee, Aroma Park, and Bradley, was hit by a severe storm Tuesday evening that led to wires being down and extensive damage to homes and businesses.

Kankakee County, including Kankakee, Aroma Park, and Bradley, was hit by a severe storm Tuesday evening that led to wires down and extensive damage to homes and businesses

Residents should look out for large size hail and wind speeds gusting up to 75 mph, the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe storm warning for northern Grundy County and the southern half of Kendall County, set to expire at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.

A tornado watch means weather conditions in the area could result in tornadoes.

The severe weather forecast for the region has led school districts in the Joliet area to cancel after-school programs.

Morris Elementary School is letting junior high students out at 2:10 p.m. and elementary students out at 2:35 p.m. due to the forecasted severe weather

Parts of northern Illinois now face a heightened risk of dangerous severe weather Tuesday afternoon and evening, with forecasters warning that strong to intense tornadoes may be possible.

Forecasters say the first round of storms could begin developing as early as 2 to 3 p.m., with the most likely window for severe weather beginning around 4 p.m.

Unseasonably warm temperatures on Monday will set the stage for potentially severe thunderstorms across northern Illinois on Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Frankfort Democrat Michael Hastings advanced legislation this week to protect Illinois homeowners from predatory contractors and scams in the aftermath of a natural disaster or storm.

Another round of storms could develop Friday afternoon and early evening as a warm front lifts north across the region

Northern Illinois is expected to see an unseasonably warm and windy Friday, with several chances for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day

Nearly the entire state is abnormally dry or in some form of drought as a result of a shortfall of precipitation last year, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Jan. 15.

Rain will likely start in the afternoon, with the heavier rains and thunderstorms moving in by 6 p.m., the National Weather Service said

The Will County Emergency Management Agency is set to host a series of monthly webinars to help residents prepare for emergency situations.

The National Weather Service Chicago office confirmed four tornadoes touched down in Iroquois County during Sunday’s storm.

Strong winds, with gusts ranging from 45 to 55 mph, will usher in a cold front Sunday night that could result in snow showers in some areas, the National Weather Service said.

Lockport police issued a notice to residents to be aware of storm damage assessments, which will be taking place this week.

Former Plainfield resident shares how her childhood memories of the Plainfield tornado lead to her career in meteorology.

A former Herald-News paper boy recalls the day the Plainfield tornado hit his family's home in August 1990.

The F5 tornado on Aug. 28, 1990, started inear Oswego in Kendall County before cutting through Plainfield, Crest Hill and Joliet in Will County. A total of 29 people – none in Kendall County – were killed in the tornado and another 353 injured in Kendall and Will counties.

It's been 35 years since a violent F5 tornado ripped through Will County destroying parts of Plainfield, Crest Hill and Joliet, and Oswego killing 29 people and injuring 353. Here are some images captured from that date, Aug. 28. 1990 and the days following.

Severe thunderstorms with the risk for damaging winds and even tornadoes could hit northern Illinois on Monday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service warned.

Lockport residents and businesses that have downed tree limbs from the storms on Saturday and Sunday need to get debris to the curb on Sunday.

Illinois saw 142 tornadoes in 2024. With weather teams stretched thin because of federal budget cuts, forecasters warn the next storm might slip through the cracks

Hits are common at a baseball park, but a microburst storm hit the 315 Sports Park late last week causing significant damage.

The Business After Hours slated for July 29 was incorrectly stated the day of the week.

Storms caused flooding, high winds, downed trees and damaged crops throughout Bureau County on Thursday. The Bureau County Courthouse had standing water in the basement on Friday, July 11, 2025 in Princeton. Princeton received over 4 inches of rain from the storm system.

A Lake in the Hills garage was hit by lightning during Thursday's storm, one of several strikes reported in McHenry County

More than 40,000 customers were without power across much of northern Illinois Friday morning following Thursday night's severe weather.

Strong winds, dry conditions and warm temperatures are expected through Friday, leading to warnings about potential fire spreads.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency will host an educational storm-preparedness event for families in Channahon on April 12.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency's public workshop on Saturday will cover severe weather, disasters, fraud and 1990 Plainfield tornado.

The city of Joliet has been holding meetings this week with any residents interested in joining the Community Emergency Response Team to create corps of volunteers to help in emergencies and big events.

Homeowners and renters in Will County who suffered damage from the July 13-16 storms have until Dec. 13 to apply for disaster relief with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Will County residents have so far received $2,792,102 in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damages incurred during storms that destruction across much of the county.

New Life Lutheran Church is collecting donations for its third relief shipment of supplies, which will depart for Asheville on Thursday, Nov. 21. New Life is asking for donations of new warm clothing, including jackets, socks, blankets and other winter essentials.

Joliet residents will send two truckloads of water, blankets, hygiene products and other items to aid those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The New Life Lutheran Church at 702 W. Lynn Blvd. in Sterling sent its second truck load of supplies Wednesday to help support those impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Will County residents who have already applied for disaster relief through FEMA related to damage caused by July storms should expect to receive determination letters starting this week.

FEMA has sent representatives to Will County to help residents apply for financial assistance to recover from damages caused by the storms of July 13-16. The Disaster Recovery Center will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

President Biden includes Will County in Major Disaster Declaration from summer storms that included tornadoes

The Joliet Junior College City Center campus will reopen Monday after extensive roof and HVAC repairs were done in response to damage from storms on July 14.