Startling images and videos captured a wild scene in parts of Illinois where massive dust clouds could be seen as warnings were issued in several counties, including the Chicago area.
In Normal, images showed a wall of dust approaching a subdivision of homes just before 5 p.m., with McLean County under a dust storm warning until 6:45 p.m.
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According to the National Weather Service, a dust storm began across portions of central and east-central Illinois as emergency crews reported "near zero visibility" and wind gusts of up to 60 mph. The storm was believed to be behind a multi-vehicle accident along Interstate 74 in DeWitt County.
In Livingston County, the sheriff's office said conditions "quickly deteriorated."
"Near 0 visibility in places with several accidents reported on I -55. I-55, south of Bloomington and I-74 near Leroy are CLOSED with closure expansions anticipated. DO NOT TRAVEL unless absolutely necessary, until winds subside," officials warned.
Around 4:45 p.m. CT, officials reported a "wall of dust" along a line from near El Paso, Illinois to near Otterbein, Indiana and moving northeast. Less than a quarter-mile visibility and damaging winds above 60 mph were noted with the storm.
The storm continued to make its way north spreading across the Chicago area as it traveled and similar warnings were issued for several counties in the region.
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SIGN UP The warnings were in effect until 8 p.m. for Kendall, northern LaSalle, northwestern Will, and southern DeKalb in Illinois, as well as Porter and Lake counties in northwest Indiana.
Kane, Cook, DuPage, southeastern DeKalb counties were added to the warning until 8:30 p.m.
Officials warned of "life-threatening travel" along several major expressways and roadways, including Interstate 55, I-57, I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294, I-355 and more.
- I-39 between mile markers 66 and 77
- I-55 between mile markers 250 and 269
- I-57 between mile markers 339 and 358
- I-80 between mile markers 124 and 155
- I-90 between mile markers 104 and 107
- I-94 between mile markers 62 and 74
- I-294 between mile markers 62 and 74
- I-355 between mile markers 1 and 14
- Indiana I-80 between mile markers 1 and 16
- Indiana I-90 between mile markers 1 and 37
- Indiana I-94 between mile markers 16 and 32
- Indiana I-65 between mile markers 254 and 261
- I-55 between mile markers 270 and 294
- I-88 between mile markers 96 and 140
- I-90 between mile markers 42 and 103
- I-94 between mile markers 26 and 61
- I-290 between mile markers 1 and 29
- I-294 between mile markers 26 and 61
- I-355 near mile marker 12, and between mile markers 15 and 30
In Chicago, videos captured the skyline being swallowed by a cloud of dust that moved across the city around 6:45 p.m.
Visibility dropped significantly as buildings disappeared behind the wall.
The National Weather Service warned the dust will continue moving north for much of the evening hours Friday as strong winds were expected to continue, but by 7:40 p.m. officials reported the storm was beginning to ease in Chicago.
"Visibilities are still reduced across the region, but they will improve as the evening continues. In addition, a few thunderstorms will pass over the northern Chicago metro over the next 1-2 hours," the NWS warned.
