Tornado sweeps through suburban Chicago, causing damage

A fence is damaged in Woodbridge, Illinois, Monday, June 21, 2021 after the National Weather Service said a tornado was confirmed on radar on Sunday night. (Sasha Micek via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_44547** A street sign is bent over in Woodbridge, Illinois, Monday, June 21, 2021 after the National Weather Service said a tornado was confirmed on radar on Sunday night. (Sasha Micek via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_83375** A resident works to clean out a home on Evergreen Lane near Chestnut Avenue in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_53799** A home is damaged after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_09835** A home is damaged after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_31951** A man enters a damaged home after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_03977** Locals survey the damage after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_10666** Woodridge residents Tom and Maria Bonifield sit in a park outside St. Scholastica Catholic Church after a tornado ripped through their neighborhood early Monday morning, June 21, 2021, in Woodridge, Ill. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**APTOPIX_Severe_Weather_Illinois_97673** Residents walk past damaged houses and fallen trees after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021 in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_33086** People walk around fallen trees after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_88748** Bridget Casey sits in the driveway of her severely damaged home with her son Nate, 16, and daughter Marion, 14, after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**CORRECTION_Severe_Weather_Illinois_41300** CORRECTS CITY TO WOODRIDGE INSTEAD OF WOODBRIDGE - A fence is damaged in Woodridge, Ill.,, Monday, June 21, 2021 after the National Weather Service said a tornado was confirmed on radar on Sunday night. (Sasha Micek via AP)

**CORRECTION_Severe_Weather_Illinois_44547** CORRECTS CITY TO WOODRIDGE INSTEAD OF WOODBRIDGE- A street sign is bent over in Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021 after the National Weather Service said a tornado was confirmed on radar on Sunday night. (Sasha Micek via AP)

**APTOPIX_Severe_Weather_Illinois_61887** Nathan Casey, 16, surveys the damage of his home after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., Monday June 21, 2021. (Vashon Jordan Jr./Chicago Tribune via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_83496** People walk near a damaged home on Princeton Circle in Naperville's Ranchview neighborhood after a tornado swept through the area, Monday, June 21, 2021, in Ill. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_45958** Damaged cars, trees and homes are shown in Naperville, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through communities in heavily populated suburban Chicago, damaging more than 100 homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing multiple injuries. Naperville city spokeswoman Linda LaCloche says at least five people, including a woman who was listed in critical condition, were hospitalized in Naperville, where 16 homes were left “uninhabitable” after the late Sunday storm. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_87754** Debris surrounds damaged homes after a tornado swept through the area in Naperville's Ranchview neighborhood Monday, June 21, 2021, in Ill. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_14088** Debris covers a damaged car after a tornado swept through the area in Naperville's Ranchview neighborhood Monday, June 21, 2021, in Ill. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**APTOPIX_Severe_Weather_Illinois_64562** A home on the 1800 block of Princeton Circle is leveled after an overnight tornado swept through the area in Naperville, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021.(Paul Valade/Daily Herald via AP)

**APTOPIX_Severe_Weather_Illinois_89921** Debris litters the ground around damaged homes after a tornado ripped through the suburbs in Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Mark Welsh/Daily Herald via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_64270** Trees block roads and sidewalks after an overnight tornado touched down in Naperville, Ill. A radar-confirmed tornado swept through communities in heavily populated suburban Chicago, damaging more than 100 homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing multiple injuries, officials said, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Paul Valade/Daily Herald via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_29261** Homes are severely damaged on Chestnut Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_63972** A family stands outside their home on Janes Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_79884** Kris Florczak, 70, salvages what she can from her home, including family photos and heirlooms, on Janes Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_25442** Residents survey the damage to several homes on Evergreen Lane near Janes Avenue in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_57571** A resident carries a speed limit sign on Janes Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_53158** A resident surveys the damage on Janes Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_94278** Mike Baar, 70, of Dixon, helps clear out his sister-in-law's house on Janes Avenue near Evergreen Lane in Woodridge, Ill., after a tornado ripped through the western suburbs overnight, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**APTOPIX_Severe_Weather_Illinois_88748** Bridget Casey sits in the driveway of her severely damaged home with her son Nate, 16, and daughter Marion, 14, after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_37117** Damage to a home and downed trees are shown after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_99644** A home is missing its siding near Cobblebrook Ln. and Ranchview Dr. after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_68268** A couple walk past a damaged home on Woodward Ave., after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_39458** A car is covered with debris after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_08519** A group of people walk by a road blocked by Elmhurst police at Westview Ln and Brentwood Ct, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_27171** Damage to a home and downed trees are shown after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_37612** A destroyed home sits on Jonquil Lane and Woodridge Drive, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_53962** Damage to a home is shown after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_98259** Crystal Porter transfers doves from a destroyed bird cage into a dog carrier, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_45179** Damage to homes and downed trees are shown after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_63515** Damage to a home and downed trees are shown after severe weather in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_66550** A home with a damaged roof sits on Everglade Ave. and Woodridge Drive, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_25349** A bird cage full of doves sits outside a destroyed home after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_17371** Residents walk around their neighborhood near Woodward Ave. and Egerton Ct, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_19618** A police car is parked in front of a damaged home after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_63438** A home with a damaged roof sits on Everglade Ave and Woodridge Drive, after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_98592** Firefighters navigate around fallen trees and branches after a tornado touched down near suburban Woodridge, Ill., Monday, June 21, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_91915** Fallen trees lay in front of a damaged home after a tornado swept through the area in Woodridge, Ill., early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through suburban Chicago late Sunday, damaging homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing some injuries. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_07081** Woodridge, Ill., homeowners Bridget Casey and his son Nathan Casey, 16 stands in front of their damaged home after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_08364** Woodridge, Ill., resident Jesse Wallace points out one of the severely damaged homes to his three-year-old son Chris Wallace, after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_40220** A fallen street sign lays on the ground near a damaged home after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021, in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_97673** Residents walks past damaged houses and fallen trees after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021 in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_07064** Household items litter the floor of a severely damaged house after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021, in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_48869** Residents walks through the neighborhood after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021 in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_73911** A man walks past a damaged house and tree after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021, in Woodridge, Ill. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_58007** Woodridge, Ill., residents clear trees off a damaged car after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_61518** A Woodridge, Ill., homeowner clears the damaged trees off his house after a tornado passed through the area on Monday, June 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

**Severe_Weather_Illinois_37123** A mattress lays in fallen branches after a tornado swept through the area in Naperville's Ranchview neighborhood Monday, June 21, 2021, in Ill. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

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CHICAGO (AP) — A tornado swept through communities in heavily populated suburban Chicago, damaging more than 100 homes, toppling trees, knocking out power and causing multiple injuries, officials said.

There was relief Monday, though, as authorities reported that it appeared no one had died. Less than a dozen people were hurt in the tornado that touched down after 11 p.m. Sunday, and all were expected to recover.

At least eight people were hospitalized in Naperville, where 22 homes were left “uninhabitable” and more than 130 homes were damaged in the suburb of 147,500 people that’s about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Chicago.

Two people initially described in critical condition had improved by Monday afternoon, said Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis.

“It could have been a lot worse, I will say that,” Puknaitis said. “When you look at the destruction that has occurred over this five square block area or so, it’s amazing that we can stand here and report that we only had eight people that were transported to a hospital.”

Officials in the nearby village of Woodridge said a tornado damaged at least 100 structures. The village’s fire chief said three people were taken to hospitals, but he could not provide more detail on their injuries during a Monday press conference.

Woodridge Police Chief Brian Cunningham said early warnings likely minimized the number of injuries.

“It was a nighttime event, a lot of people were sleeping, weren’t aware of what was going on,” he said. “The early warning got people to shelter. And the fact that there’s only three people injured and the amount of devastation that’s in the community, it’s just amazing.” The storm destroyed the second floor of Bridget Casey’s Woodridge home. She sat in a lawn chair in the driveway before sunrise Monday. Her 16-year-old son, Nate, said he was watching TV when the storm swept through and he raced to help his mother get his three younger siblings to the basement.

“I just heard a loud crash and I’m thinking, ‘Oh, what are my brothers up to?’ I go look and I see the sky, and then I hear my brothers screaming from the room,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Gina Cunningham called the damage to homes and other property in the village “extensive.”

“I’m just emotional because it is devastating to drive through the community that I grew up in and worked in and share with so many wonderful neighbors,” she said.

The tornado was confirmed by radar, and a team with the National Weather Service began surveying damage Monday to determine its strength and path. The agency said one tornado likely caused damage in Naperville, Woodridge and Darien.

“If there were no fatalities — and there haven’t been any reported to us — that’s great news considering the population of the area, the level of damage and the time of day, after 11 p.m. when many people may be asleep,” Matt Friedlein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, said.

Radar also showed storm rotation over several other areas of suburban Chicago, and in northwestern Indiana in the Hobart and South Haven areas, Friedlein said.

The weather service said surveys on Monday determined two EF1 tornadoes packing winds up to 100 mph (161 kph) struck northern Indiana’s St. Joseph and Steuben counties, damaging some barns and trees and destroying other exterior structures.

Severe storms also hit other parts of the Midwest. A tornado damaged several buildings and knocked down power lines and trees in eastern Iowa on Sunday night. And in Missouri, a thunderstorm with strong winds whipped through parts of the state, knocking down trees and power lines.

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the Chicago suburb of Woodridge, from Woodbridge.

Tornado sweeps through suburban Chicago, causing damage

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Tornado sweeps through suburban Chicago, causing damage

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