Storms Cut Power To 600,000 In Illinois, Indiana And Ohio
Severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, knocked out power to more than 600,000 customers across Illinois and Indiana and left over 166,000 customers in Ohio without electricity.[1]
Tornado warnings blared as storms pounded the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana, and officials temporarily halted all flights at O'Hare and Midway airports.[1] Lake, Porter and Will counties were among the hardest hit, and Columbus sent workers home early while a Westerville library closed after heavy rain entered the building.[1]
The National Weather Service recorded numerous 80 mph wind gusts and warned the storms were dangerous.[1] Tracking showed more than 600,000 customers without power in Illinois and Indiana and more than 166,000 outages in Ohio.[1]
The National Weather Service urged people to seek shelter and to avoid downed power lines as crews worked to restore service.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, severe thunderstorms hit the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana, prompting tornado warnings and halting all flights at O'Hare and Midway airports temporarily.
- Poweroutage.us reported more than 600,000 customers without electricity in Illinois and Indiana, with Lake, Porter and Will counties among the hardest hit.
- More than 166,000 customers lost power in Ohio, where Columbus officials sent workers home early and a Westerville library closed after heavy rain entered the building.
- The National Weather Service recorded numerous 80 mph wind gust reports and issued blunt warnings that the storms were dangerous.
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