Thunderstorm, Heavy Rain Hits Huntley

A wind gust tore down tents at the Huntley Farmers’ Market and heavy rains flooded streets throughout the downtown Saturday morning.

The rains moved Huntley’s first salsa competition indoors to the Huntley Chamber of Commerce but did not stop the first Artfest, where people were gathering throughout the morning.

Trustee John Piwko helped clear up the mess left behind at the Farmers’ Market and said he encountered hail around 10 a.m. as he drove down Main Street near the town square.

“Everything was set up. It started drizzling around 10 and a big gust of wind just came through,” Piwko said.

Several Farmers’ Market vendors had damaged tents, he said. The tent where the salsa contest was being held was also damaged so organizers sent judges home. However, the salsa competition did take place at the Chamber’s office.

Village crews were busy following the storm handling a tree that feel in the middle of the road on Main Street and putting up barricades to keep motorists away from flooded streets. But the barricades didn’t deter some drivers who plowed through water.

The National Weather Service had issued a thunderstorm warning for McHenry County Saturday morning and predicted winds of 60mph. The NWS predicts additional thunderstorms tonight.

Sunday’s weather outlook is sunny with a high of 79 degrees.