Watch CBS News

Thunderstorms Drop Heavy Rain, Hail On Chicago Area

(CBS) --Scattered thunderstorms dropped heavy rain and large hail throughout the Chicago area Monday evening.

The storms prompted the National Weather Service to issue Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across the area and a Tornado Watch.

In Calumet City, a NWS spotter reported hail 1.25 inches wide and hail .88 inches wide was reported in Orland Park.

In Ottawa and Marseilles, CBS 2's Ed Curran reports some of the hail measured three and a half inches across.

Marseilles Police Chief Jim Hovious says the hail was the worst he has seen, smashing the windows of cars.

"Just talked to a local body shop that's going to start opening 24 hours," he said.

At Terry Bentz' car dealership, there was a lot of hail damage.

"This is the worst we have seen in a while," Terry Bentz said. "Came in pretty quick and did a lot of damage."

There were also several reports of funnel clouds in LaSalle County.

Ed Curran Hail
Ed Curran hold hail that fell in Marseilles Monday afternoon. (Credit: CBS)

A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect for the Chicago area until 1 a.m.

Earlier in the day, a strong line of thunderstorms moved through the area.The storms prompted airlines to cancel more than 100 flights at O'Hare International Airport early Monday. Other flights were delayed 30 minutes or more during the storm, at both O'Hare and Midway International Airport, though no flights were canceled at Midway.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.