CHICAGO () — The threat of storms across parts of the Chicago area on Wednesday has been scaled back, according to ABC7 meteorologists.
At the same time, people in Indiana affected by severe weather earlier this month are now able to seek federal disaster assistance.
Forecasters had been watching for a limited storm risk Wednesday, mainly in northern Indiana and the far southern reaches of the Chicago area. But as a cold front pushed through the region, the potential for severe weather weakened.
Scattered showers and a few isolated thunderstorms could still develop across the area Wednesday evening, though the previously issued Level 1 and Level 2 severe weather risks are no longer in place.
Earlier, the Storm Prediction Center had placed Chicago under a Level 1 storm risk for Wednesday evening, while northwest Indiana and southern sections of the Chicago area, including Kankakee County, were included in a Level 2 risk for severe thunderstorms.
The update comes as northwest Indiana continues the cleanup and recovery process after destructive storms hit the region earlier in the month.
Residents looking for disaster recovery help can text IN211HELP to 898-211 to connect with available resources.
Those impacted may also submit applications for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Those with insurance should file claims before applying.
Visit www.disasterassistance.gov for more information, or call 1-800-621-3362.
As people continue to deal with the fallout, NIPSCO is looking to raise rates.
The company filed it’s first petition on the same day the derecho hit northwest Indiana. It then filed two more in the following days according to documents from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
If those increases went through, it would add up to $7.33 to residents’ bills each month.
