Violent storm in McHenry County leaves damage behind

Amid tornado sirens, a storm ripped through McHenry County on Wednesday night leaving damage in its wake.

With a tornado warning in effect from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, the storm traveled east and affected Huntley, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Cary and Fox River Grove.

The National Weather Service in Chicago reported tornadoes in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Hodgkins, Streamwood, South Elgin and near O’Hare airport.

The storm started in Huntley traveling east at 35 mph, the NWS reported. Fallen trees, roof damage and other debris are reported in Huntley.

Eight residences in Huntley lost roofs, McHenry County Emergency Management Director David Christensen said. A self-storage building also had roof damage that still is being investigated.

Those who have lost their homes may contact the American Red Cross for emergency housing services. Anyone in need of housing help can call 211, Christensen said.

People can report damage from the storm on the McHenry County Emergency Management website.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported, Christensen said.

Robert Chandler of Golden Gate Avenue in Huntley said he and his wife were pulling their vehicle into their garage when they heard tornado sirens blaring. He walked to his patio door and saw a debris field swarming outside and told everyone to get into the basement.

When the sirens stopped, he went outside and saw a 2-by-6-foot board sticking out of his neighbor’s front yard.

“There was a lot of damage and debris around the neighborhood, and a lot of it came from about a quarter of a mile away,” Chandler said. He figured the distance because when he and his son took a drive around the neighborhood he saw homes and an apartment building missing roofs about 5 blocks away.

“There were trees that were just cut in half or down,” he said.

Chandler said he didn’t see a funnel cloud, but did see debris swirling around.

Two apartment complexes in Huntley are reported to be damaged with “numerous people displaced,” photographer Alex Vucha said.

ComEd reported more than 1,000 customers are affected in McHenry County with more than 10 confirmed areas reporting power outages.

Huntley residents Tracy and Matt Sawyer’s power went out about 6 p.m. when the storm first hit and came back about 7:50 p.m.

“It got really windy and the sky was really moving fast,” Matt Sawyer said. “It was over really quick. I would say within five minutes.”

Daughter Emma Sawyer was at the Dance Force Studios in Huntley when the “tornado went over the building.” Trees were knocked over and the garbage dumpster was blown across the parking lot, she said.

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