Power outages and downed trees caused problems Wednesday night across northern Illinois as Winnebago, Boone, JoDaviess, and Stephenson Counties were hit by strong winds and heavy rain.
The National Weather Service reports more than five inches of rain and winds of more than 50 miles per hour in Winnebago and parts of Boone County. The performance at Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre was cancelled due to the storm threats.
Flash flooding and downed power lines were reported throughout the Rockford area, with heavy rainfall as far west as Pecatonica and as far north as Rockton. As of this morning, ComEd reportsat least 9,000 customers in Winnebago and Boone County still without power.
The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office noted storm damage and funnel clouds around Stephenson County. The Journal Standard also reported sightings of a tornado yesterday evening in Jo Daviess County about six miles west of Pearl City. In these areas, ComEd notesseveral hundred outages.