Over 300 flights canceled at Chicago’s O’Hare airport as tornado touches ground | Watch Video

The National Weather Service has issued a particularly hazardous situation (PDS) tornado warning In Illinois, specifically for the city of Chicago. Over 300 flights at O’Hare International Airport were canceled on Wednesday morning because of the impending threat of severe thunderstorms in the Chicago area, which could bring flooding, hail, damaging winds, and copious amounts of rain.

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The whole Chicagoland region should expect scattered showers, heavy rain, and the potential for severe thunderstorms all day Wednesday, from the morning into the afternoon, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team. According to the National Weather Service’s tweets, there were already sporadic thunderstorms and pockets of heavy rain overnight, which caused some places to receive up to two inches of rain by five in the morning.

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The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday for DuPage, Cook, and Will Counties in Illinois, as well as Lake County in Indiana. The NWS notice cautions that extreme rainfall could cause flash floods, putting creeks and streams in danger of overflowing. Urban areas, particularly those with inadequate drainage, may experience flooding, and underpasses may also be impacted.

Several people shared visuals of the airport amid a tornado warning. One user shared a clip with a tweet, “Current look at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Shelter in place for several tornadoes! Stay safe out there🤍”

Multiple parts of Chicago now face a level 2 (out of five) “slight” chance of severe weather and thunderstorms this afternoon, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Prior to this, the region was considered to be at level one, or “marginal” risk.

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In addition to torrential rain and the possibility of flash flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that the storms may also bring quarter-sized hail and destructive winds of up to 60 mph. Although there is still a minimal chance of tornadoes, the NWS warns that it cannot be fully ruled out.