Thunderstorm Knocks Down Power Lines, Branches in Tri-Cities

A fast moving thunderstorm caused several power issues across the Tri-Cities late Friday morning.

In St. Charles a downed tree at a house on 3rd Street brought down some power lines. City crews were dispatched to repair the lines and power should be restored to the affected homes by 1 p.m., said Tom Bruhl, electric services manager in St. Charles. Possible lightening strikes also temporarily interrupted service in some parts of town, Bruhl said.

A portion of Kirk Road was backed up due to what appeared to be downed wires between Geneva Road and Avril Court. Emergency service personnel were on the scene.

Public works officials in Geneva said the storm brought tree branches down that impeded traffic. One side street was shut down temporarily to clean up the debris and will be re-opened by 3 p.m.

Gary Holm, director of public works in Batavia, said the city fared well during the storm. He said his department did not have to respond to any street flooding or electrical issues.

Tri-Com scanner reports said lightning hit a tree and started a fire at the Grunwald Forest Preserve outside St. Charles.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kane County until 7 p.m. Friday.

Deadly lightning, heavy rain and hail are among the conditions spotted.

AT 1043 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES NORTH OF ELBURN TO LITTLE ROCK TO NEWARK...AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

Patch will follow up when more information is available.