Tornado Watch, Flood Warning in Effect for Chicago Area

By Brian Slupski and Emily Stone

A tornado watch is in effect for much of the Chicago area until 4 p.m., the National Weather Service stated.

A flash flood warning is also in effect for much of the area, including Cook County and southern Lake County.

There were reports of tornadoes on the ground near Pontiac, Streator, and Bloomington. A warning was issued for those areas and has since expired.

A tornado watch means conditions are right for the formation of a tornado. A warning means that a tornado actually has formed.

The Chicago Tribune quoted a meteorologist from the National Weather Service as saying the weather systems creating the tornados are "extraordinarily rare."

Severe thunderstorms and hail are also forecast. The National Weather Service is calling it a, "potentially very dangerous situation."

The tornado of watch for the Chicago area states:

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH ONE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY...IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THESE STORMS ARE PRODUCING WIND DAMAGE. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.