High Winds Knock Down Building in Calumet Park, Cause Other Disruptions

CALUMET PARK, IL — A building collapsed Friday in south suburban Calumet Park under the stress of high winds, scattering brick and debris into the street near Ashland Avenue and 127th Street just before noon. The wind also knocked down a gas station sign and traffic signal. No one was hurt.

Winds reached 50 to 60 mph across the Chicago area, and the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning through 6 p.m. A High Wind Warning means sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph are occurring and likely leading to property damage, according to the NWS.

Throughout the Chicago area, high winds knocked down tree limbs and signs and spread debris and trash around neighborhoods, and power was lost for about 200,000 ComEd customers. As of 4 p.m., power was restored for about 110,000 of those customers.

The Willis Tower Skydeck was closed, as typically happens in high-wind situations, as was the observation deck at the John Hancock Building. The Chicago Fire Department evacuated a few high-rise buildings downtown due to blowing debris. A 35-story building in the 100 block of North Wacker had some windows shattered by the wind.

Delays were being reported on Metra’s Milwaukee North, West and North Central Service lines. Check MetraRail.com for the latest information.

High winds were also causing cancellations and delays at Chicago airports. Inbound planes were delayed for an hour on average as arriving flights were held back. Departures are delayed by 30 minutes, and about 100 cancellations have taken place as of 4 p.m.