Severe Storms Loom Over South Suburbs as 142,000 Still Dark

A severe thunderstorm watch covering Chicago’s south suburbs remains in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as the National Weather Service warns of damaging winds and heavy rain. At the same time, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) reports that more than 142,000 customers in the area are still without electricity following a series of tornadoes that struck the region on Tuesday.

The affected communities include the cities of Joliet, Kankakee and DeKalb, among other neighborhoods in the south suburban corridor. The National Weather Service’s watch signals that conditions are favorable for additional severe weather, prompting residents to prepare for possible wind damage and flooding.

Tuesday’s tornado outbreak produced at least three confirmed tornadoes that moved through the same suburbs. Those storms caused widespread power outages, prompting ComEd crews to begin restoration work that continues into Wednesday. The utility has not released a specific timeline for full service restoration, but the number of customers still without power exceeds 140,000.

ComEd officials have advised customers to stay informed through local alerts and to avoid downed power lines. The utility’s restoration teams are operating around the clock, focusing on critical infrastructure and areas with the highest concentration of outages.

The National Weather Service’s watch, which expires at 1 p.m., does not yet indicate a tornado warning but highlights the potential for strong straight‑line winds and intense rainfall. Residents in the watch area are encouraged to secure loose objects, limit travel where possible, and follow any further advisories issued by local authorities.

Both agencies emphasize that the weather situation remains fluid, and additional updates are expected as conditions evolve throughout the afternoon. The combination of lingering power outages and the forecasted storm threatens to extend the disruption for many households in the south suburbs.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and emergency services stand ready to respond to any incidents that may arise from the impending storms.