Severe thunderstorms hit southern Wisconsin and Chicagoland mid-day on Friday, July 3, 2026, heavy rain with flash flooding, and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
Thunderstorm downed trees, and branches, and damaged power lines, causing over 70,000 power outages, according to ComEd.
ComEd reported over 59,000 customers lost power, including neighborhoods in Arlington Heights where some trees were damaged.
During strong Friday afternoon storms, a mom, daughter, and one other person were inside a blue sports-utility vehicle when a tree slammed down on it. (Marissa Sulek/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
High winds caused a large branch to crash through a windshield in Evanston, injuring three passengers.
In Northfield, a lightning strike caused a house fire.
In Lake Geneva, high winds caused a boat to capsize in the southeast portion of the lake, which killed three children.
In Darien, Wisconsin, at about 11:00 a.m., about an hour before storms hit in Arlington Heights, an 80-foot farm silo collapsed, injuring five people, some seriously.
Friday night a second line thunderstorms arrived in Arlington Heights at about 9:45 p.m. causing Frontier Days to close early for the second consecutive night.
Lightning storm closes Frontier Days early on second consecutive night in Arlington Heights YouTube Tips ⓘ
Naperville firefighters were dispatched to the scene after a fire broke out at a the Tru by Hilton hotel in Naperville, 1809 W Diehl Rd, Naperville about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2026. YouTube Tips ⓘ
IMPORTANT …
Arlington Heights Police Department and Fire Department Dispatch is encrypted and cannot be monitored. Most incidents in Arlington Heights will only be published as breaking news thanks to dedicated and supportive citizens.
Storm damage and flooding cannot be summarized or report for Arlington Heights or any other suburbs served by the Northwest Central Dispatch System 911 center.
One citizens submitted an eyewitness report. Thank you to this citizen.
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SPECIFIC WEATHER FORMS ARE LISTED BELOW …
WEATHER IMAGING & STORM DAMAGE (All Suburbs)
Prefilled for Arlington Heights…
WEATHER IMAGING & STORM DAMAGE (Arlington Heights)
NOTE: Regarding the weather guided form, Arlington Heights is the first available that is pre-filled for Arlington Heights. You can still use the Arlington Heights form for another city or village by changing the village name of Arlington Heights to your city or village. Other municipalities will be available soon.
