Suspected Tornadoes Cause Damage in Illinois and Indiana

Storms down trees, power lines and overwhelm 911 centers in affected areas

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A large tornado struck south of Chicago in Kankakee County, Illinois, causing major damage on the south side of Kankakee City and in the nearby town of Aroma Park. Another suspected tornado also caused significant damage in Lake Village, Indiana, just across the state border. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials are still in emergency response mode assessing the situation.

Why it matters

Severe storms and tornadoes can cause widespread destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure, disrupting communities and requiring significant recovery efforts. This latest outbreak comes just days after a separate storm system produced tornadoes that killed at least six people in Michigan and Oklahoma.

The details

The tornado that struck in Illinois traveled northeast from Kankakee City into Aroma Park, downing trees and power lines and overwhelming the 911 center with emergency calls. In Indiana, the apparent tornado hit several houses in Lake Village, causing injuries, though the exact number and condition of those injured is still unknown.

  • The tornado struck in Kankakee County, Illinois on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • The suspected tornado hit Lake Village, Indiana, also on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Trooper Jayme Bufford

A spokesperson for Illinois State Police.

Kylee Miller

A CBS News Chicago meteorologist reporting from Kankakee County.

Cpl. Eric Rot

An Indiana State Police officer.

Shannon Cothran

The Newton County, Indiana Sheriff.

Rob Churchill

The Lake Township, Indiana Fire Chief.

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What they’re saying

“We're still in emergency response mode.”

— Cpl. Eric Rot, Indiana State Police Officer (CBS News)

“Lake Village took a direct hit, please stay away from the area.”

— Rob Churchill, Lake Township Fire Chief (CBS News)

What’s next

Officials in both Illinois and Indiana are continuing to assess the damage and respond to the emergencies caused by the suspected tornadoes. Cleanup and recovery efforts are expected to take some time.

The takeaway

This latest outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes underscores the need for communities to be prepared and have robust emergency response plans in place. As extreme weather events become more frequent, ensuring public safety and minimizing damage will be an ongoing challenge.