UPDATE 2 923PM ET: The combination of the derecho moving into more stable air and the cold pool moving too far out ahead of the storms is quickly killing off the MCS. Almost all severe thunderstorm warnings have expired or been cancelled, and the storms are just a gusty wind/small hail threat. Whew.
UPDATE 1 815PM ET: This line of storms can official be called a derecho, producing a very long swath of major wind damage from Iowa into northwestern Indiana. It's continuing to barrel through northern Indiana with winds up to 80 MPH.
This is a dangerous line of storms with a long history of producing extreme wind damage. Several reports of 80+ MPH winds have come in within the last hour from northwestern IN.
ORIGINAL DIARY:
A major line of severe thunderstorms is just about to roll through the Chicago area with 70-80+ MPH winds. This will be a derecho-like storm, but it is not a derecho. (This storm is now a derecho, having exceeded the required 240 mile path of wind damage).
The line is moving east-northeast at about 60 MPH.
This line of storms can and likely will do damage to poorly-built buildings, healthy trees, power lines, and loose objects outside such as lawn furniture.
This line of storms is moving at highway speeds, so there isn't much time to act. Please stay tuned to the NWS office out of Chicago, NWS Northern Indiana, and NWS Western/Southwestern Michigan for updated forecasts and warning for this dangerous line of storms.
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3:56 PM PT: Electricity and internet are back on here in North Carolina. Let me clean up the diary real quick. This is the first one I've ever had to post from my phone. That was a royal pain in the ass.