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Update / July 24, 2025 Storm / Lightning strikes, wind howls, downs trees, blocks roadways

City of Naperville
By City of Naperville

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Above / Trees along Naperville-Plainfield Road near West Street received a big hit. Drive cautiously. (Photos by JEP)

Update #1 July 29, 2025 / City of Naperville Report regarding “Severe Weather” / City crews have been out since last Thursday cleaning up debris across the City, and are about 70 percent complete with storm-related calls for service.

Crews will continue to pick up any storm-related debris that is placed on the curb through Friday, Aug. 1. Beginning Monday, Aug. 4, residents should utilize the City’s weekly yard waste collection program for the disposal of yard waste.
 
Update #2 July 29, 2025 / Yesterday our “tree guy” took away the branch broken in Thursday’s storm that finally fell off on Sunday, providing a better view of the busy bald-faced hornets that continue to build an attractive large nest, accessible from the large hole near the bottom. They’ve been amazing to watch from a distance.
Bald-faced hornets appear to be busy as bees in our hornets nest (about the size of a basketball) approximately 12 feet high up in our crabapple tree. (PN Photo July 29, 2025)
Typically, bald-faced hornets, we’ve learned, are unaggressive unless they or their nest are disturbed. Furthermore, bald-faced hornets are beneficial insects as they can help to manage garden pests such as grasshoppers. And our garden is growing very, very well!
 
After doing a whole bunch of research to learn about bald-faced hornets (a type of aerial yellowjacket that’s a member of the social wasp family), we will let the papery nest stay in our tree until after the first frost. It just might make a great keepsake for our granddaughter! Time will tell!
 

Update, July 25, 2025 / On his way home after yesterday’s storm, Jim Penick took lots of pictures of downed trees and forwarded the photos. Some were posted with this story yesterday.

Later Thursday evening when he drove into our driveway, he saw a branch on one of our crabapple trees had been broken in the sudden gusts of the windy storm. Unknown to us until we looked at the branch break, the tree is home to a huge, beautifully-crafted nest where many busy wasps are swarming in and out. And we were reminded that wasps create their amazing paper-like nests by chewing up wood that’s then mixed with saliva to build a home for thousands of wasps.

(Note: Friday afternoon we were educated that the “wasps” are instead bald-faced hornets. After reading up on the insect known for its aggressive ability to sting more than once, we may be contacting an exterminator. Thanks to all for the info.)

Moving right along, now we wonder…Did the branch break because of the storm or because of the weight of all the crabapples—or both.

Stay safe everybody. Thanks to Naperville Public Works and all crews that helped get things back in order. —PN

Note! The Photo Gallery below now includes a photo of crabapple tree without the hanging broken branch. We’re now aware the tree just needs another visit from our tree guy to put into better shape.

Original Post, July 24, 2025 / City crews are responding to the impacts of the storm that moved through the Naperville area this afternoon.

Electrical Outages

The City is aware of multiple electrical outages throughout the area. Currently, 450 customers are without power. Naperville utility crews are assessing the situation and working to restore these outages as quickly as possible. Information about outage locations and restoration times will be posted at www.naperville.il.us/stormupdates as it becomes available.

Blocked Roadways

Storm debris is blocking several roadways throughout the city. Staff is working to clear roadways. An interactive map of the impacted areas is available here. Please use caution when traveling in and around these locations. To report a blocked roadway, please call 630-420-6187.

More Information

Residents can find updates about the ongoing effects of this storm at www.naperville.il.us/stormupdates.

Last Updated / 5PM July 25, 2025

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City of Naperville
City of Napervillehttp://www.naperville.il.us.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving City consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The City is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The City’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.
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