Cary Illinois Declares State Emergency After Severe Weekend Storms

The Village of Cary in Illinois declared a state of emergency following severe thunderstorms over the weekend that caused widespread wind damage, flooding, and downed power lines, particularly in and around downtown Cary. The Cary Fire Protection District responded to nearly 100 storm-related calls, including emergencies involving downed power lines, natural gas leaks, and flooding, with support from utility companies and other agencies. Cleanup efforts have been hampered by continued heavy rains, but brush cleanup is scheduled to start the week of August 25. Public Works crews are surveying damage and clearing debris, while human services and the Red Cross assist displaced residents. Meanwhile, ComEd is working to restore power to about 8,000 customers, with restoration expected by Monday afternoon. Separate from the Cary storms, Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, prompting a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations in North Carolina's Outer Banks, though it is not expected to make U.S. landfall; the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season remains slightly above average in activity.