Midwest Storms October 26: O'Hare Affected, Tornadoes (Photos)

by Amy Judd | October 26, 2010 at 07:52 am

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The Midwest United States are Bracing Themselves Against a Powerful Storm System Today With Some Reporting Tornadoes Touching Down

A very powerful storm system has moved in over the Midwest United States, with winds up to 70 mph, and one reported tornado already causing damage to buildings near Racine Wisconsin.

A reported tornado touched down at Highway 11 and South Oaks Road in Sturtevant, while another report says the tornado touched down near 21st Street and Green Bay. There have been reports of severe damage to homes and businesses in the area, and many people are currently without power. The Case Corp building reportedly had a 100 to 200 foot section of its roof ripped off. There are no reports of any injuries at this time, but other parts of the state have reported downed trees and power lines.

Other tornadoes have been reported in eastern Illinois and western Kentucky, and the National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings and watches.

The CNN Severe Weather Center reported the storm was moving quickly eastward at more than 50 mph. By 10:20 a.m. ET, the center of the widening ring of severe storms was strengthening and had moved to the east of Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to WTHR, there are multiple warnings and watches in effect for many counties, and a tornado warning is in effect for Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings Counties until 11:15am.

About 15,000 Indianapolis Power and Light customers are currently without power, and 26,000 Duke customers also have no power according to the Indianapolis Star.

There have been four possible twisters reported in the area; in Kokomo Ind, Wanatah, Ind, Peotone, Ill and Sturtevant Wis.

At Chicago's O'Hare airport, they have canceled about 300 flights so far. About 85,000 Commonwealth Edison customers in the Chicago area are currently without power.

"We have a huge wind machine," the Weather Channel's Jim Cantore reported from Minneapolis, Minn. "You have the potential to gust to hurricane force, easily ... and that is what we're expecting."

For some regions this storm could be the worst they've seen for at least 70 years.

The storm is expected to last through tomorrow and people are being asked to take care and be safe as it could get stronger.