Heavy wind and rain this afternoon knocked down trees across Evanston — most dramatically completely blocking Dempster Street just west of Asbury Avenue.
The huge tree that fell there also pitched a length of sidewalk up into the air, leaving just a narrow path for pedestrians to try to get around.
Another large tree fell across Elmwood Avenue between Main and Lee streets. That one hit and damaged two parked cars.
The tree that fell across a pickup truck on Elmwood was thoroughly rotted at its base.
The storm, which the National Weather Service said was packing winds of up to 70 miles per hour swept through Evanston shortly after 3 p.m.
The tree blocking Dempster just west of Asbury.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Evanston until 8 p.m. tonight.
The storm also knocked out traffic signals at the busy intersection of Emerson Street with Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road.
Another downed tree blocked Hartrey Avenue near Colfax Street.
300 block of Asbury also
Another large tree down completely blocks Asbury between Oakton & Howard as well.