'Extremely Dangerous Situation' Heads Toward Oak Park

By Steven Jack

Updated 5:33 p.m.

An 'extremely dangerous' situation with tornado-strength winds is heading toward the area, according to the latest National Weather Service alert.

The storm has the potential to drop golf-ball size hail as it blows in with wind gusts up to 80 MPH, the alert said.
Take shelter in a windowless room on the lowest level of your home.

"Flying debris will be dangerous to people and animals," the alert said.

Updated 5:04 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Cook County that is in effect until 1 a.m. "Numerous, severe thunderstorms" are expected, the alert said.

Updated 12:56 p.m.

The entire Chicagoland area could see severe storms Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has placed most of Illinois—including Cook County—in the high risk category for severe weather on Wednesday.

The Storm Prediction Center says a high risk "suggests a major severe weather outbreak is expected."

According to the weather service, residents of Oak Park could see:

STRONG TORNADOES
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH
HAIL TO THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS
VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH COULD CAUSE FLASH FLOODING

Look for severe weather to being late Wednesday afternoon into the early evening.