Hickory Hills EF-2 Tornado Reached Peak Winds Of 120 MPH On 8.3-Mile Path Of Destruction

HICKORY HILLS, IL—The National Weather Service has provided additional information about the confirmed EF-2 tornado that brewed up last Thursday in Hickory Hills with peak winds of 120 mph.

The NWS said the tornado formed in the Spears-Pioneer Woods Forest Preserve, north of 95th Street in far western Hickory Hills, beginning its 8.3-mile track. It continued on a northeast path into north Hickory Hills, where tree damage and some light pole damage occurred.

The tornado strengthened in intensity to the EF-2 level, where it fully removed the roofs off two apartment buildings near 83rd Street and Roberts Road. Maintaining its EF-2 strength, the tornado skipped through Bridgeview, where additional roof damage was noted near 79th Street and Oketa Avenue.

As the tornado moved into Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood, it weakened as it moved west of Chicago Midway International Airport, where tree, shingle, roof, and siding damage was observed by NWS survey teams.

The tornado lifted north of Midway Airport, around 52nd Street and Laramie Avenue, after producing additional tree damage.

NWS said the tornado reached a maximum width of 350 in addition to 120 mph wind speeds. Six people were reported injured.

Related: 17 Tornadoes Confirmed In Illinois, Indiana: NWS