Video: Passengers Film Tornado From Plane Cabin
It's an unbelievable sight.
The Midwest is known for tornados ripping across landscapes and destroying everything in its path. As the largest city in the region, Chicago theoretically would be most at risk, but the Windy City isn't usually a hotspot for twisters. Still, when one does strike, it's a sight to behold.
On July 15, a tornado ripped through parts of Chicago metro area, leaving passengers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport stranded while the extreme weather passed. At one point, the air traffic control tower was evacuated while planes filled with passengers, pilots, and crew sat on the tarmac to weather the storm.
It was all captured on cell phone video from some passengers aboard a plane that was parked on the runway. Rain appeared to be moving sideways and the aircraft seemingly rocked side to side in the high-speed winds as lightning lit up the night sky.
BREAKING: Tornado confirmed on the ground at O'Hare airport in Chicago.
— LockharTVMedia (@LockharTVMedia) July 16, 2024
A plane is sitting on the runway at Chicago O’Hare right now and everyone’s phones receive multiple tornado warnings.
Captain announced that air traffic control and ground control have evacuated.
Plane is… pic.twitter.com/TaKAxn657N
Sitting on the plane at Chicago ohare Ord as a tornado hits.
— Jollyradar ????☠️ (@jollyradar) July 16, 2024
Airport is shut down but won’t let us use the jetway because of lightning.
So we sit here in a tin can with wings. #ord #chicago #tornado @SpiritAirlines pic.twitter.com/4x4h5SZEo1
Sat through it. It was crazy pic.twitter.com/uiUIgmcvSQ
— BucketandMopInvestments (@Bucketmopinvest) July 16, 2024
More than 60 flights were canceled and over 400 were delayed at O'Hare as the weather paralyzed aviation operations, according to FlightAware. In response to the storms, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued a warning to those in the region to be safe.
"A complex of destructive storms across eastern Iowa is now moving into northwest Illinois. These storms have had a history of wind gusts in excess of 80 miles per hour," the National Weather Service wrote on X. "Have multiple ways to receive warnings tonight and be ready to seek shelter if one is issued for your area."
Make sure you keep an eye on the news for any severe weather in your area and act accordingly.