Severe weather threatened Chicago’s Soldier Field on Sunday. (Photo: Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports )
CHICAGO – Severe weather forced play to be stopped and fans were evacuated from the Soldier Field seating bowl amidst the threat of severe weather with 4:51 remaining in the first quarter of Sunday’s game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens.
The evacuation came at 1:31 p.m. ET. Five minutes later, referee Gene Steratore Announced play would be “temporarily suspended” and Both teams left the field.
Rain que had been trickling since shortly after kickoff soon Began falling in sheets, driving fans who had INITIALLY Remained in Their seats toward the exits, though some Remained stuck in the Aisles of the upper deck more than 20 minutes after the evacuation.
MORE FROM USA TODAY: ‘Dangerous’ storms descend on Midwest
officals National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down near East Peoria in central Illinois and was moving northeast about 60 mph. No injuries have been immediate Reported. Photos from the area Showed devastating damage, however.
“This is a very dangerous situation,” Russell Schneider, director of the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Told the Associated Press. “Approximately 53 million in 10 states are at risk for Significant thunderstorms and tornadoes.”
The Chicago area was under tornado and flash flood watches before the game. Official weather at game time was 67 degrees, wind gusts to 34 mph and showers and thunderstorms expected.
“Please clear the stadium seating area and relocate to the nearest covered concourse,” the message on the stadium’s video boards read. “Please Remain calm and leave the seating area in an orderly fashion.”
At 2:10 pm, the Bears Announced the soonest Could teams return to the field is 3 pm There would be a 10-minute warmup period before Could resume play.
The tarp was on the field before the game but not During the delay, meaning the playing surface would be exposed to at least 90 minutes worth of heavy rain before play Could Potentially summarizes.
The evacuation came moments after Justin Tucker’s 52-yard field goal made it 10-0 Ravens.
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Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @ TomPelissero
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