Tornado Hits Hickory Hills and Bridgeview Area

Residents of Hickory Hills and Bridgeview gathered outside their apartment building on Friday to examine the damage caused by a recent storm, including a roof torn off and wood impaled into a garage. A highway sign was split in two. Melissa Alvarez, a resident, noted the destruction resembled a tornado, a suspicion confirmed by the National Weather Service on Monday. The tornado struck with wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph, moving from Hickory Hills to the Midway Airport area. It was one of 17 tornadoes that ravaged the region on that night.

Power was restored to Alvarez’s apartment by Sunday night, enabling her return. Despite the roof being blown off, she was uncertain whether a safety inspection had been carried out. Hickory Hills Mayor Mike Howley was in a City Council meeting when the storm struck, and only realized the extent of the damage the following day upon receiving photographs of debris and live wires. “You could actually feel like the windows being sucked in,” Howley remarked. The storm resulted in widespread power outages and a water main break, in addition to downing several wooden utility poles near 88th and 89th streets. Thankfully, there were no reported deaths or injuries in Hickory Hills.

Mike Howley, a native of the town, expressed shock at the devastation, stating, “I’ve never seen destruction like this.” As of Monday afternoon, approximately 12% of Hickory Hills remained without power. The Police and Public Works departments were tirelessly clearing debris, while continuous updates were sent to residents regarding the situation. Howley cautioned residents about potential scam tree service operations post-storm.

The National Weather Service announced that June 11 tornado assessments and ratings were preliminary, and further analyses were underway. They confirmed the Hickory Hills tornado, though the investigation into its path was still incomplete.

Calumet City faced its own challenges due to severe weather that struck on Sunday morning. Downed trees, power lines, and property damage were reported. Mayor Thaddeus Jones highlighted the impact, remarking on the downing of ancient trees and stating, “It wasn’t a regular storm.” A tree fell on a resident’s house, leading to a gas line disruption and power outage. The resident was hospitalized briefly. The city plans to demolish the damaged home and is working with organizations like the Red Cross to provide housing support for those affected.

Calumet City organized a response crew of 56 members from its Police and Fire departments along with tree service workers to handle the damage. Nonstop efforts were made to assist residents coping with the impact, including wellness checks conducted by police officers. The city received numerous requests for aid or expressions of gratitude from residents. The Emergency Services Department urged caution in areas with downed trees and lines.