At about 9:30 p.m. Monday, a tornado warning blared on Oak Park resident phones, telling them to shelter in place until 10 p.m.
Tornado warnings were in effect throughout parts of Illinois at the same time, including portions of Will, Kendall, Grundy, northern DuPage and Cook County and in Chicago, according to the National Weather Service Chicago.
“Multiple tornadoes have been reported along this line of storms moving through the Chicago metro!” The NWS Chicago X account warned locals.
As the extreme weather moved through Oak Park, trees were brought down into the residential areas including at locals’ houses and on streets. Destructive winds and flooding were possible, too. By Tuesday morning, Oak Park public works officials indicated the area between Interstate 290 and Madison Street sustained the most damage.
Fence destroyed by fallen tree on Jackson Boulevard at Grove Avenue after severe storm last night on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. | Todd Bannor 
Workers clear a tree toppled by last night’s severe storm from the roof of the house at 704 S. Euclid Ave. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. | Todd Bannor 
A ford Escape damaged damaged by a tree felled by last night’s severe storm is towed on the 700 block of South Euclid Avenue on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. | Todd Bannor 
A homeowner with a chainsaw clears a tree felled by last night’s severe storm on the 600 block of South Wesley Avenue on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. | Todd Bannor 
Workers clear a tree toppled by last night’s severe storm from the roof of the house at 704 S. Euclid Ave. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. | Todd Bannor
Jackson Boulevard was closed in a few places, including between Lyman Avenue and Taylor Avenue and at Oak Park Avenue. Village officials said there’s six public works crews and two contracted crews clearing streets and sidewalks of broken-down tree limbs and power lines.
“Officials anticipate that the total clean-up effort to take several days,” village officials wrote.
One resident told Wednesday Journal a branch from their elm tree came down in the back yard. Another, Ava Watts, said a pergola came into her backyard on South Euclid Avenue. Watts also said a gas leak occurred.
Storm damage seen on South Euclid Avenue following strong winds July 15, 2024. Credit: Ava Watts 
A tree is seen uprooted July 16, 2024, after strong winds and storm conditions ravaged Oak Park Monday night. Credit: Lydia Sharp 
More storm damage seen in Oak Park after strong winds brought down branches and uprooted trees. Credit: Lydia Sharp 
A tree is seen down on Madison Street in front of storefronts July 16, 2024. Credit: Lourdes Nicholls
Residents with “brush from trees” on private property will not see village clean-up crews, however. Small amounts of brush can be bundled with a green yard waste sticker and set to dispose of in regular collection areas. The bundles must be smaller than two feet in diameter, four feet in length and be less than 50 pounds. Larger amounts can be handled by tree care or landscape maintenance contractors.
Village officials said that as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, ComEd reported more than 4,900 outages in the network. That affects more than 200,000 clients, and officials said about 750 in Oak Park were affected at that time. ComEd’s power outage map is updated online. ComEd and Nicor crews are working to restore services, village officials said.
Weather officials said Tuesday they are still investigating where tornadoes might have touched down.