Thunderstorms roll through Chicago area, causing some damage

Severe weather hit the Chicago area and surrounding counties with thunderstorms, hail and potentially high winds Wednesday evening.

A outlook for hazardous weather conditions was issued for north central Illinois and northwest Indiana for Wednesday evening.

Scattered thunderstorms developed along the Interstate 80 corridor, which will continue to develop throughout the area overnight, the weather service said. A significant thunderstorm risk was associated with a limited tornado risk, possible hail of up to an inch in diameter and winds as high as 60-mph.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the storm Wednesday afternoon knocked out power to 111,500 homes and businesses in Missouri, largely near St. Louis. An additional 72,800 of Ameren's customers in Illinois lost service.

Heavy rains also poured down during the end of the evening rush. Drivers in Joliet reported flooded streets near Crest Hill.

And in South Holland, the roof of an empty commercial building collapsed.