After The Storm: Power Outages, Downed Wires And Road Closures Left In Storm's Wake

If you’re like me, you probably woke up to a text from ComEd stating that “we estimate 80 percent of outages to be restored by Saturday, June 13, by 11 p.m.”

Thousands are still out of power after a fast-moving storm pummeled the south suburbs and the rest of the Chicago area.

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Wind gusts of 73 mph were reported at Chicago Midway Airport when the storm roared through around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, downing trees and power lines.

More than 170,000 remain without power, with no estimated restoration times indicated by ComEd.

For all you home workers out there who are without power, Grove Coffee, which should really be called the “Groove” for its chill, community vibes at 4736 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn, has power and internet.

Be nice to your local public works crews who are cleaning up tree damage, and to the ComEd workers who are playing a high voltage game of whack-a-mole.

Here are the latest updates on Wednesday’s storm damage and the next round expected to come through Thursday for Oak Lawn, Hometown, Evergreen Park, Alsip-Crestwood, Palos and the Beverly-Mount Greenwood-Morgan Park area.

• The National Weather Service has upgraded Thursday’s severe risk for most of Chicagoland to a Level 4 of 5, which is a moderate risk. This means long-lived, widespread and intense storms are likely. Far southern portions of Chicagoland and most of Northwest Indiana remain under a Level 3 of 5, or slight, risk. This means scattered severe storms are possible.
• Park Lawn’s Queen of Hearts drawing on Wednesday was postponed when power at Fat Tommy’s in Crestwood went out. Tickets purchased this week will be added to the June 17 drawing.
• Hometown-Southwest Highway has reopened Thursday from Kilbourn to Keeler after downed wires closed that section of the road for more than 12 hours. Motorists are asked to continue using extra caution while driving through the area. The railroad crossing at Southwest Highway and Duffy Avenue has reopened, too.
• Traffic lights are out all over. Proceed with caution.
• Traffic signals are out in Alsip at 127th Street and Cicero Avenue.
• Water pressure has been restored in Crestwood.
• ADDED! Markham Courthouse and Branch Courts 35 and 38 are without power and hearings/trials have been canceled for Wednesday. The Markham Courthouse building will be open as a shelter.

~ Keep checking back for updates and be weather aware Thursday.