Tornadoes; the devil’s wind. Many believe the windy city is impervious to tornadoes that ravage the surrounding midwest. Perhaps something about urban density, being along the lakefront, and other mysterious factors that spare the metropolis from seeing rows of skyscrapers ripped out of the ground. Unfortunately, this is an urban legend, and throughout the Second City’s history many tornadoes have caused historic destruction.
Here are the facts: according to the National Weather Service, 92 significant tornadoes have touched down in the 8 county Chicago metro area between 1855 and 2008. The deadliest incidents being April 21, 1967, which saw 33 people killed and 500 more injured by a 200 yard wide tornado across 16 miles.
Some other interesting facts gathered by the National Weather Service: around 75% of Chicago tornadoes are F2, meaning winds of 113 to 157 mph; The strongest tornado to hit the Chicago area was on August 28, 1990, when an F5-level tornado ripped through Oswego through Joliet, killing 29 and injuring 350; The most common month for tornadoes is April, while February and December have seen zero tornadoes since 1888. Most alarming is this statement from the NWS: “The Chicago area is overdue for a major tornado. An entire generation of Chicagoans has been born since the last violent tornado, and many more have transferred to the area from other parts of the country and other parts of the world, and have not experienced a major tornado here. This poses the danger of a vulnerable and unprepared population. Areas that were once open farm fields have been developed, putting more people in harm’s way.”
The bottom line: tornadoes can strike anywhere, including downtown Chicago. It’s important to know the warning signs, and have a plan in the event of a Tornado Warning.
