Series of thunderstorms hits northern Illinois, floods roads

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) -- Roads are flooded and trees knocked down in some northern Illinois communities in the wake of a powerful line of thunderstorms.

Kankakee County sheriff's Sergeant Craig Long says as much as six inches of rain fell in some spots and there were reports of lightning striking some buildings. But there weren't any reports of the strikes causing major fires.

The National Weather Service says the line of storms was accompanied by wind gusts as high as 64 mph in Rockford and dumped nearly an inch of rain in the community of Polo in 10 minutes.

ComEd spokesman Joe Trost says about 8,000 customers are without power, primarily in and around Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and Belvidere.