DeKalb County Braces as Severe Storms Bring 60 mph Winds, Power Outages, and Nearby EF-3 Tornado

DeKalb County Under Warning as Northern Illinois Faces Tornado Outbreak

Severe thunderstorm warnings swept through DeKalb County on June 11 as a major weather system delivered 60 mph winds, penny-size hail, and widespread power outages to northern Illinois. A tornado watch remained in effect until 9 p.m. that evening.

The storms were part of a larger outbreak that produced at least 20 confirmed tornadoes across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, including an EF-3 tornado that struck Streator, roughly 30 miles southeast of DeKalb.

Power Outages Hit DeKalb Residents

More than 400 DeKalb County residents were without power by Wednesday evening, according to ComEd data reported by the Daily Chronicle. That figure came from 45 separate outage reports as of 7:53 p.m. on June 10, before the Thursday storms intensified.

By Thursday evening, the utility reported more than 253,100 Illinoisans were without power statewide. As of Friday evening, ComEd reported around 94,000 customers across northern Illinois remained without service.

"The storms led to widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents," according to Northern Public Radio.

Severe thunderstorm warnings covered parts of DeKalb, Sandwich, Sycamore, Hinckley, Somonauk, Waterman, and Maple Park during the evening hours.

EF-3 Tornado Strikes Nearby Streator

While DeKalb County avoided a direct tornado hit, the nearby community of Streator faced devastating damage from an EF-3 tornado rated at 145 mph winds.

The National Weather Service released detailed survey results showing the tornado tracked nearly 12 miles and stayed on the ground for about 27 minutes. It began southwest of E 2600 N Road and N 190 East Road, moved through Long Point, and reached peak intensity on the southeast side of Streator near the Livingston-LaSalle County line.

"Damage in this area was consistent with EF-3 winds around 145 mph," weather officials reported.

The tornado blew a grain bin off its foundation and heavily damaged several houses along Sunbury Drive. Seven people were injured. No deaths were reported.

Streator Mayor Tara Bedei closed impacted neighborhoods and asked residents not to travel to affected areas unless they lived there or had a legitimate need.

Second Round of Storms Hits Illinois June 17

A second severe weather system moved through Illinois on Wednesday, June 17. While the hardest-hit areas were in central Illinois, including Charleston and Effingham, power outages were also reported in DeKalb County.

The Peoria Journal Star tracker showed less widespread outages in DeKalb compared to the central Illinois counties that saw the majority of damage. Henderson County lost power for more than 93 percent of tracked customers. Warren County saw nearly 60 percent impacted.

"Less widespread outages were also reported in DeKalb, Mercer, Knox, Menard, Jefferson and Gallatin counties," the tracker noted.

Charleston declared a state of emergency after a tornado tore through the city, blocking roads with downed trees and knocking out power to approximately 12,171 customers in Coles County alone.

What DeKalb Residents Should Know

The National Weather Service urged residents across northern Illinois to remain vigilant through multiple rounds of severe weather. Key impacts for DeKalb County included:

• Severe thunderstorm warnings with winds up to 60 mph
• Penny-size hail reported in parts of the county
• Power outages affecting hundreds of residents
• Flood watches in effect through early morning hours
• Nearby EF-3 tornado in Streator with 7 injuries

The National Weather Service in Chicago confirmed at least 20 tornadoes from the June 11 outbreak. Storm surveys continued into the following days as crews assessed damage across the region.