Hurricane-force winds were also reported in parts of the area. Wind gusts topped out at 81 mph in Valparaiso, Indiana, 75 mph in Lakes of the Four Seasons in Indiana, and 74 mph in Gary, Indiana, and Lynwood, Illinois.

Some parts of the Chicago area saw wind gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour as powerful thunderstorms hammered the region Sunday.

Hail and massive wind gusts pelted the Chicago area as severe thunderstorms rumbled through Sunday afternoon. The system had prompted a tornado watch covering most of northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana, but the National Weather Service canceled it by 3:15 p.m. with storms rolling out over Lake Michigan.

Severe weather including storms, flooding and possible tornadoes brought weather warnings and damage across parts of the South and Midwest Sunday.

A severe winter storm has killed at least three and left almost half a million energy customers without power on Monday morning, as strong winds and heavy rain caused havoc from the Mid-Atlantic to the South.

Forecasters are warning of potentially deadly flash flooding and strong tornadoes as more rounds of thunderstorms are poised to strike parts of the Midwest and South. The potent storm system will bring the threat of “significant,