I-55 Still Closed After Storms: Sheriff

ILLINOIS — Interstate 55 remained closed on Tuesday after severe storms hit on Monday night, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

Late Tuesday morning, the Illinois Department of Transportation said I-55 is closed in both directions between U.S. 6 and River Road due to downed power lines. Northbound traffic is being diverted at River Road, southbound at U.S. 6.

"ComEd is working to deenergize, remove and repair. Updates will be provided when all lanes are reopened," IDOT said in a news release. "Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment."

Just after 9:30 a.m., the sheriff's office said "major traffic backups" were being reported "along Route 53 and surrounding roads from Coal City to Laraway Road in Joliet caused by the closure of Interstate 55, since last night."

Power Lines Down All Over Joliet, I-55 Shut Down By Channahon

Flashing traffic lights throughout the area and in Joliet were also causing traffic delays, police said, adding, "The Traffic Unit is advising drivers to use alternate routes, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to your destination."

Late Monday, Channahon police said I-55 was closed in both directions due to downed power lines across the interstate.

"Frontage Rds. on both side of the interstate are impacted as well," police said in a community alert. "Traffic may enter I-55 northbound from US Rt. 6 and Bluff Road."

In other areas, police were reporting downed power lines and traffic signals out of service. In Bolingbrook, village officials said a traffic signal was out of service due to a lightning strike.

"During the storm last night, the traffic signal cabinet at Weber and McDonald’s suffered a lightning strike, thus shorting and destroying the electrical components inside," the village posted on social media Tuesday morning. "The Cabinet will be replaced by the electrical crew today. This should take approximately 8 hours. Until then the intersection will remain black, stop signs have been placed in the interim."

Storms, Likely Tornadoes Hit Chicago Area, Killing 1 And Cutting Power

As of around 11 a.m. ComEd was also reporting 177,000 customers still without power Tuesday.

Officials were still assessing the extent of Monday night's storms and the damage they caused.

The National Weather Service said it had six damage survey teams out across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana Tuesday morning, adding, "So far, we have 29 different paths of potential damage that we will be investigating today and in the coming days to identify potential tornado tracks."

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