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Storms leave 300,000 without power in Chicago area; flights canceled

By Scott Thompson and Marlena Baldacci, CNN
Tuesday night's storms in the Chicago area blew trees and limbs onto vehicles and power lines.
Tuesday night's storms in the Chicago area blew trees and limbs onto vehicles and power lines.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Rain and thunderstorms batter the area
  • Some in Illinois could go days without power
  • More than 380 flights are canceled at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports
RELATED TOPICS
  • Chicago
  • Illinois
  • Weather

(CNN) -- More than 300,000 electric customers were without power early Wednesday morning in Chicago and its suburbs, electric company Commonwealth Edison said.

Spokesman Bennie Currie said while crews are working to restore power, it could take days to return service to all customers.

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"The severe storms that passed through our service territory caused extensive damage, which will result in a multiple day restoration effort," the electric company said in a statement.

The severe weather also caused travel problems in the Chicago area.

At O'Hare International Airport, 350 flights have been canceled, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. The department also reported departure delays of up to two hours late Tuesday night.

Flights were delayed at Chicago's Midway Airport for up to two hours due to rain and thunderstorms, according the the city's aviation department. Thirty flights were canceled at that airport.