Flights grounded in Chicago, power knocked out as severe weather pounds Illinois, Indiana

Flights grounded in Chicago, power knocked out as severe weather pounds Illinois, Indiana Severe weather has cut power in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana CHICAGO -- Severe weather cut power Tuesday in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana as perilous storms pummeled the region, darkening the sky and carrying extreme wind gusts across state lines. Tornado warning sirens blared in Illinois and Indiana, and all flights were stopped by late morning at Chicago's two major airports. There were numerous reports of wind gusts of 80 mph (128 kph) or more at personal weather stations, with trees blown down. “These are dangerous storms!” the National Weather Service said by late morning. More than 575,000 customers lost electricity in Illinois and Indiana, according to poweroutage.us. Lake County, Indiana, was especially hit hard.