Thunderstorms suspend Lollapalooza

Posted on Aug 5, 2012 in Top News | 0 comments

Powerful thunderstorms, packing heavy rains, winds and hail, prompted organizers to halt the second day of the Lollapalooza music festival in downtown Chicago.

Tens of thousands of festival goers were directed to shelter Saturday afternoon in underground shelters and parking garages as the line of strong storms bore down on Northern Illinois from the southwest.

“It [Grant Park] will be closed as of 3:30 p.m. due to inclement weather,” Chicago Police spokeswoman Darryl Baety told the Chicago Tribune as the skies darkened. Winds up to 80 miles per hour were reported in Tinley Park southwest of the city, The Weather Channel said.

Festival goers were directed to pre-established underground evacuation sites along Michigan Avenue set up in advance of the start of the three-day music festival which began Friday.

Torrential rain was pouring in downtown Chicago, prompting flash flood warnings and temperatures in the 90s fell quickly with the arrival of the thunderstorms and dangerous lightning.

The line of storms caused flight delays at both O’Hare International and Midway airports.

“We regret having to suspend any show, but safety always comes first,” said a spokesman for C3 Presents, the music festival promoter.

Copyright 2012 by United Press International