Destructive tornado damages homes in Kankakee County, Illinois, leaving thousands without power
A destructive tornado struck Kankakee County, about 95 km (60 miles) south of Chicago, Illinois, during severe storms on March 10, 2026, causing significant structural damage and leaving more than 7 000 customers without power. The tornado tracked through the southwest portion of Kankakee and crossed into northwestern Indiana near Lake Village, damaging homes and infrastructure.
A tornado struck Kankakee County, about 95 km (60 miles) south of Chicago, Illinois, during severe storms on March 10, 2026, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure and leaving more than 7 000 customers without power.
The tornado tracked through the southwest portion of Kankakee before crossing into northwestern Indiana near Lake Village.
The storms developed along a strong cold front moving across the Midwest, where forecasters had warned of an increased risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received multiple tornado reports on March 10, including reports from Illinois, Indiana, and Texas, as severe storms affected parts of the Midwest and southern Plains.
The tornado was reported just before 18:30 local time (LT) on March 10. The Kankakee County Emergency Management Agency confirmed the tornado’s touchdown near the I-57 and Justice Way, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The circulation crossed the Kankakee River and continued into northwestern Indiana, where additional damage was reported.
The tornado moved through the southwest portion of Kankakee, damaging industrial, commercial, and residential areas.
Route 45/52 and Waldron Road were shut down, with Waldron Road still closed. There were no deaths or missing persons, and only 7 minor injuries were reported, according to the Kankakee City administration.
The fire department responded to two structural fires following the storm. Approximately 7 400 customers lost power in Kankakee County, including about 2 600 in Kankakee City.
Damage was also reported across the state line in northwestern Indiana, including communities near Lake Village, where a tornado damaged homes and injured several people.
Another tornado was reported by a trained spotter roughly 8 km (5 miles) east of Wheatfield in Jasper County at around 20:00 LT on March 10, according to the NWS.
Large hail was also reported in parts of Kankakee County during the storm, with some hailstones reaching approximately 13 cm (5.2 inches) in diameter.
The severe storms developed as part of a broader weather system affecting portions of Illinois and Indiana, where forecasters had warned of an increased risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.
The American Red Cross in Illinois opened a shelter at Kankakee Community College to aid those affected by the tornado. Sheriff Mike Downey of the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office was scheduled to hold a press conference at 08:00 LT to provide updates on storm impacts.
Feature image credit: Misty Goodrich
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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