CHICAGO – A powerful storm led to tornado warnings in downtown Chicago and the evacuation of fans from the stands at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Monday night.
The National Weather Service had not confirmed any tornado touchdowns. But it says trained spotters have reported high-rotation winds in DeKalb and Kane counties in northeastern Illinois.
Fans at the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros game were evacuated from Wrigley Field's stands into the stadium concourse as tornado sirens blared throughout the city.
Passengers at O'Hare International Airport were evacuated into the lower levels of the complex's buildings. Travelers who had already boarded airplanes were taken off as the storm struck, then led to the lower levels as a precaution.
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"It was pretty cramped down there, the whole terminal was down there," said George Wickens, 50, of London, who was trying to travel to Florida with his family. "I don't think anything will be getting out of Chicago tonight."
The storms did not cause any damage or injuries at O'Hare or Midway Airport, said Department of Aviation spokesman Gregg Cunningham. More than 350 flights were canceled at O'Hare.
Chicago Fire Department officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries.
More than 200,000 people in northern Illinois were without power, ComEd spokesman Joe Trost said.
Meteorologist Brad Churchill said 60 to 80 mph winds were expected.
The fast-moving storms caught many residents by surprise.
Warning sirens sent pedestrians scrambling into high-rises and train stations for shelter.
Security guards at the Ogilvie Train Station, just off the Chicago River, ushered people streaming inside away from large glass windows and into the middle of the building.
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