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Storms Knock Out Power To Thousands In Chicago Area

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Summer storms ripped through the Chicago area Tuesday night, leaving downed trees, standing water, and lots of cleanup to do. While the damage was not significant, thousands lost power when power lines were knocked down.

At the height of the storms, approximately 14,000 homes and businesses were without power in the Chicago area, according to ComEd. That number was down to about 3,000 as of 6:45 a.m.

The storms prompted a series of severe thunderstorm, flash flood, and tornado watches and warnings across the region.

Tornado sirens sounded in some areas, but no funnel clouds were spotted in the Chicago area, and no injuries have been reported.

While two tornados did touch down Tuesday evening in downstate Livingston County – one near Pontiac, and the other near Cornell – but neither caused any damage or injuries.

In north suburban Wilmette, powerful wind gusts took down several tree limbs, making some roads impassable. The massive amount of rain quickly overwhelmed storm drains, creating what looked like a small lake in a Jewel parking lot.

A lightning bolt also struck the top of a home in Darien, triggering a fire. No one was hurt.

In the Bowmanville neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, two transformers exploded in an alley near Damen and Summerdale avenues, taking out power in the area overnight. ComEd appeared to have restored service by 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.

More scattered showers and thunderstorms were possible Wednesday afternoon, mainly east of Interstate 55, according to the National Weather Service.

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