The storms also disrupted air travel, with all flights temporarily halted at Chicago’s two major airports as officials dealt with the dangerous conditions and worked to clear a backlog.The storms brought torrential rain and extreme winds, with a 99 mph (159 kph) gust recorded in Gary, Indiana. The hospital said its roof and daycare facility suffered significant damage and would require extensive repairs, although its main operations, appointments and emergency and urgent-care services were unaffected. All staff and animals were reported safe.The damage was also severe in Portage, Indiana, where the local police chief described the destruction as the worst he had seen from a single storm. Schools across parts of the Chicago area and north-western Indiana cancelled classes on Wednesday, with some warning that further disruptions could follow as crews assess damage and restore power.Residents described scenes of destruction and widespread power loss. In Homewood, Illinois, resident Javid Jenkins said he and his family took shelter in the basement as the storm passed.