Strong winds buffet Chicago; tornado watch issued

[October 26, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Forecasters say Illinois residents should brace for potentially the most powerful storm the state has seen in over seven decades.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning in the state from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Tornado watches or warnings have been issued for the entire Chicago area, parts of central, northwest and southern Illinois, as well as in neighboring Michigan and southern Wisconsin.

Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Allsopp says the storm is expected to be one of the strongest to hit Illinois in more than 70 years.

The weather service says gusts that topped 50 miles per hour slammed into the Chicago suburb of Lombard early Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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