Experts have guidance on getting repairs, filing claims, avoiding scams after storm damage

With severe damage seen throughout the Chicago area as storms brought tornadoes both Sunday and Monday night, experts had some advice on filing insurance claims, and avoiding scams.

As of Tuesday evening, a total of five tornadoes had been confirmed in the Chicago area from the storms Monday night and six Sunday night—and the National Weather Service is investigating 29 possible tornado tracks over the course of the two nights.

In the wake of the storms, the city has received the most calls for help from the West Town neighborhood—where crews were working throughout the day Tuesday. Massive trees came down there Monday night and left roads and intersections blocked.

“It was like a train came through here at night,” said Daniel Ortiz of West Town. “When I came out of the basement, my ears popped.”

West Town was far from alone in that experience—as there were reports of 10 tornadoes on the ground at once in the Chicago area Monday night, and very uncharacteristically, some of them in the city for the second night in a row.

With thousands of calls for help across the city, the latest data show 2,544 calls for tree debris, 3,421 calls for tree emergencies, 122 calls for flooded basements, 293 calls for downed wires, 228 complaints of water on the street, 144 street light pole complaints, and 187 complaints of traffic signals out.

“As long as everybody is OK, that’s all that matters,” said Ortiz.

Behind West Town at the top of the list for calls were Austin and Belmont Cragin on the West and Northwest sides, respectively.

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