The National Weather Service advised people in the Chicago area to seek shelter Wednesday night after a tornado was confirmed to be on the ground near O’Hare International Airport and moving east toward downtown.
“To repeat, a tornado is on the ground,” the Weather Service wrote in an advisory at 7:03 p.m. “COVER NOW! Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a fortified building.”
The Weather Service said flying debris poses a threat to people outside and warned that mobile homes could be destroyed. There was some property damage, but no immediate reports of injuries or deaths, authorities said.
A tornado warning was put in effect until 7:45 pm for Cook County, Ill., which includes Chicago, Cicero and Evanston, the National Weather Service said. said on Twitter.
A tornado watch is in effect for surrounding counties until 10 pm
Judson Jones contributed reporting.