Residents of Hickory Hills and Bridgeview witnessed significant damage after a tornado tore through their area. On Friday, they observed a roof ripped from an apartment building and wooden debris lodged in a garage. Nearby, a highway sign was split in two. “Everyone was concurring, like, this looks like a tornado,” said Melissa Alvarez, a resident.
The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down with wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph. This tornado moved from Hickory Hills to the Midway Airport vicinity and was among 17 tornadoes that struck the region on Thursday night.
Alvarez mentioned that power was restored to her building by Sunday night, allowing her return. However, she was uncertain if any safety inspections were conducted since the roof was blown off. Hickory Hills Mayor Mike Howley was in a City Council meeting when the storm hit and only realized the extent of the damage the next day, seeing photos of fallen poles and live wires. “You could actually feel like the windows being sucked in,” he described, noting that power outages affected most of the town and a water main broke.
Around four wooden utility poles fell in the proximity of 88th and 89th streets. Fortunately, Howley stated there were no deaths or injuries reported in the town. About 12% of the town remained without power by Monday afternoon, and Howley informed residents via emails about the cleanup efforts and ongoing work by the Police and Public Works departments.
“I’ve been in town for over 50 years, and I’ve never seen, and I’ve talked with people at public works, folks who have been here for a long time too, and they’ve never seen devastation like this,” Howley shared.
Across the city, awareness about scams related to tree services following storms was raised. The National Weather Service indicated that further analysis of the tornado ratings and assessments from June 11 is underway. A spokesperson confirmed the tornado in Hickory Hills but noted that details on its path are still being gathered.
Calumet City also faced the wrath of severe storms. Sunday morning brought downed trees, power lines, and damaged properties. Mayor Thaddeus Jones was shocked at the extent of damage, stating it was not a typical storm due to its power. Historic trees over 100 years old fell on homes and vehicles. Overpowering winds cut electricity to much of the city.
One significant incident involved a tree collapsing on a house, severing gas and power lines. A resident in that house was hospitalized but discharged by Tuesday, with the city now planning to demolish the damaged home. Calumet City officials coordinated housing support for affected residents and engaged the Red Cross or donations for aid.
The city organized a 56-member response team from the Police and Fire departments, along with tree service workers, to address storm damage. This team continued its work in shifts, providing wellness checks for residents. Numerous residents reached out, seeking help or expressing gratitude for the city’s efforts.
The Emergency Services Department urged residents to remain cautious of fallen trees, utility lines, and work zones.
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