Tornadoes touch down; prompt warnings, watches in Chicago area
Updated at 02:28 PM today
ABC Eyewitness News Team Coverage
November 17, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Tornadoes moved through parts of the ABC7 viewing area Sunday, prompting a series of warnings and watches and causing officials at Sunday's Chicago Bears game to suspend play temporarily and clear the seats at Soldier Field.
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A tornado was spotted on the ground in Coal City, Ill., and then was confirmed in southwest suburan Frankfort.
Earlier Sunday, a tornado also was confirmed and moving toward the Streator, Ottawa, Morris and Dwight areas. That system was producing damaging wind and was moving rapidly northeast. Communities in northwest Indiana were affected.
The unstable weather developed at the same time that fans began filing into Soldier Field for Sunday's Bears game. Approximately 60,000 fans were at the game.
Officials suspended game play at approximately 12:30 p.m. and began evacuating fans from the stands and into inner concourses. Eyewitness News was told the game would resume at 2:25 p.m. Shortly after 2 p.m., players were back on the field and fans were headed back to their seats.
Soldier Field General Manager Tim LeFevour told Eyewitness News earlier Sunday that an evacuation plan for fans was ready. He also said flags and temporary signage at Soldier Field were removed due to high winds.
As the severe weather was moving through the area, tornado warnings were issued for portions of McHenry, Boone, LaSalle, Livingston, Grundy and Cook counties. A tornado watch is effect for the entire ABC7 viewing area until 4 p.m. A high wind warning also is effect from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning also was in effect for the city of Chicago and points south.
The greatest threat would be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to ABC7 Eyewitness News meteorologist Phil Schwarz.
Temperatures were above 60 degrees Sunday, making it feel more like spring, but the warm air is one of the key ingredients for the severe weather. Flash flood warnings were issued for much of the Chicago area.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn issued the following statement regarding severe weather across the state:
"Today's severe weather warnings and storms across Illinois are very serious. I urge everyone to pay attention to all weather alerts and stay home and inside if possible. Driving during these severe conditions is extremely dangerous. All residents should stay off the roads until these storms and flood warnings subside.
The governor's office also says a list of road closures caused by the storms is available at www.dot.il.gov/road/roadClosures.htm.
ABC7Chicago.com will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
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