Hawks Fans Pack Soldier Field After Storms Pass

Thousands of Blackhawks fans were told to shelter inside Soldier Field Thursday morning as a line of thunderstorms moved toward Chicago.

Just after 8 a.m., fans were told to take cover inside the concourse area of the stadium. The directive came less than two hours before the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Championship rally. Fans began showing up for the victory rally as early as 4:30 a.m.

Fans were allowed onto the main field area around 9 a.m. after the storm passed through the area.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement just before 8 a.m. warning of a line of thunderstorms heading toward the downtown area at a rate of 30 mph.

Storms were expected to produce winds between 30 and 40 mph and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning, according to the weather service. Torrential rainfall was also expected.

The NWS directed people to "seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle."

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