Episode narrative: July 28th saw two rounds of severe storms move across the Chicago metro, one during the predawn hours of the morning and another during the evening. The first round brought isolated instances of damaging wind to the area and the second featured damaging winds, severe hail, and 13 tornadoes across the WFO Chicago CWA: 11 in Illinois and 2 in Indiana. Additionally, temperatures in the 90s and high humidity resulted in oppressively hot conditions with afternoon heat indices as high as 105-115ï¿½ï¿½F.

Tornado event in GRUNDY County, ILLINOIS
Start: 28-JUL-23 21:53:00
End: 28-JUL-23 21:54:00
Direct deaths: 0
Property damage: 0.00K
Event narrative: This tornado initially touched down near the Minooka Primary Center and tracked east, roughly along and just north of East Church Street. The most significant damage occurred at the Apostolic Church on Church Street where winds appeared to have lifted about one quarter of the south-facing portion of the roof above an open archway. This damage appeared to be consistent with high-end EF-0 winds. A concentrated corridor of tree damage was then noted between East Church Street and East Coady Drive. This tornado continued to the east-northeast, crossing into Will County just north of E Church St. before moving across the Lake Chaminwood Preserve and I-55 at Canal Road. Several large trees were uprooted at Crane Composites as the tornado crossed US Route 6. This tornado appeared to have lifted over the Des Plaines River east of Cavalea Dr.

Tornado event in WILL County, ILLINOIS
Start: 28-JUL-23 22:22:00
End: 28-JUL-23 22:24:00
Direct deaths: 0
Property damage: 0.00K
Event narrative: Drone footage and high resolution satellite data revealed that a tornado touched down near north of E 12000N Road just east of S Rathje Road south of Peotone and lifted in a field between S Drecksler Road and S Ridgeland Avenue. This tornado was on the ground for less than 2 minutes and was around 15 yards wide. The only damage noted was to crops, namely soybeans.

Tornado event in WILL County, ILLINOIS
Start: 28-JUL-23 21:55:00
End: 28-JUL-23 22:02:00
Direct deaths: 0
Property damage: 0.00K
Event narrative: This tornado touched down in a subdivision just east of Hare Rd in Kendall County and tracked east crossing Wildy Rd just prior to moving into western Will County. After crossing into Will County, the tornado produced a concentrated region of tree damage at a single homestead consistent with high-end EF-0 winds. The tornado then proceeded northeastward and intensified as it crossed the DuPage River at River Crossing Park, where numerous large trees were snapped and some structural damage to houses occurred consistent with winds near 95 mph. The tornado crossed I-55 just north of exit 251 and continued into the west side of Joliet to produce sporadic tree damage on the far north end of Joliet Junior College. It then moved across the Inwood Soccer Complex and lifted near McDonough Street and Joyce Road.

Tornado event in WILL County, ILLINOIS
Start: 28-JUL-23 21:54:00
End: 28-JUL-23 21:59:00
Direct deaths: 0
Property damage: 0.00K
Event narrative: This tornado initially touched down near the Minooka Primary Center in Grundy County and tracked east, roughly along and just north of East Church Street. The most significant damage occurred at the Apostolic Church on Church Street where winds appeared to have lifted about one quarter of the south-facing portion of the roof above an open archway. This damage appeared to be consistent with high-end EF-0 winds. A concentrated corridor of tree damage was then noted between East Church Street and East Coady Drive. This tornado continued to the east-northeast, crossing into Will County just north of E Church St. before moving across the Lake Chaminwood Preserve and I-55 at Canal Road. Several large trees were uprooted at Crane Composites as the tornado crossed US Route 6. This tornado appeared to have lifted over the Des Plaines River east of Cavalea Dr.