Residents across the Chicago area spent Sunday in cleanup mode after a powerful storm system swept through late Saturday night, leaving widespread destruction in its path. Strong winds, heavy rain, and hail battered communities across the suburbs, destroying homes, causing flooding, and knocking out power to tens of thousands of households. Among the hardest hit was a large condominium building in Mount Prospect, where dozens of residents were displaced after the storm ripped away much of the roof and left more than 60 units uninhabitable.

For longtime residents, the damage was unlike anything they had ever witnessed. One resident, Antony Artaga, who has lived in the area for nearly three decades, said the scene was heartbreaking. He recalled arriving at the building and being moved to tears after seeing the destruction. According to Artaga, the force of the storm was overwhelming. While he was out at a restaurant during the height of the storm, he described the entire building shaking as hail pounded the area and fierce winds swept through.

Another resident, Jackie Mattson, explained that the devastation was visible even from the air. A drone flown over the property revealed that the roof had been torn away completely, exposing the entire floor plan of the top level. Residents now face uncertainty as they wait to assess the extent of the structural damage and determine when, or if, they can return to their homes.

The storms did not only damage property but also disrupted essential services. By Sunday afternoon, more than 33,000 customers across the Chicago region remained without power. The utility company reported that over 80 percent of service had already been restored, with crews working through the night to repair downed lines and damaged equipment. Officials announced that complete restoration was expected by Monday afternoon, but for many families, the outage added another layer of difficulty to an already stressful situation.

In addition to wind damage, flooding became a major problem in several communities. In Cicero, residents woke up to streets submerged under several feet of water. Jessica Magana, who was checking on her parents’ home while they were away, found herself dealing with a basement filled with nearly three feet of water. She described the block along 36th Street as prone to flooding and said the storms had been particularly brutal this time, forcing her to spend the day clearing water and damage.

Magana admitted the process would likely take the entire day but felt it was important to do whatever was needed to help her parents recover from the mess. Stories like hers were repeated across many neighborhoods where families were left to pump water, clear debris, and try to salvage what they could after the storm’s sudden fury.

Meteorologists reported that parts of the Chicago area received nearly six inches of rainfall overnight, contributing to widespread flash flooding. Streets quickly filled with water, leaving cars stranded, basements inundated, and storm drains overwhelmed. Combined with the powerful winds that tore through buildings and power lines, the storm created one of the more damaging weather events of recent years in the region.

For residents of Mount Prospect and Cicero, the storm has left an emotional and financial toll. The loss of homes, damage to personal property, and prolonged outages have added up to a difficult weekend, and for some families, recovery may take weeks if not months. Local officials have urged residents to exercise caution, continue reporting damage, and remain patient as crews work to restore services and clear debris.

Despite the challenges, there has been a strong community response, with neighbors helping neighbors in cleanup efforts. Volunteers and local organizations have stepped up to provide assistance to displaced families, while emergency crews continue to work long hours to stabilize conditions. Still, for many families across the Chicago area, the sight of shattered homes, ruined belongings, and flooded streets will remain a reminder of the storm’s intensity.

As cleanup continues, residents are left hoping for calmer weather in the days ahead. The weekend storm served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even well-prepared communities when nature unleashes its power. For those who lost their homes or suffered damage, the road to recovery has only just begun, but their resilience and determination to rebuild remain strong.