The iconic tunnel connecting the B and C conncrouses of Terminal 1 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport became a storm shelter for thousands of travelers as a tornado ripped through the Windy City.
United Airlines Tunnel Serves As Tornado Shelter
Rob Kenagy posted an absolutely iconic picture of passengers crowded in the tunnel as a tornado touched down nearby:
Shelter in place at O’Hare. pic.twitter.com/4dQuHfJUgM
— Rob Kenagy (@RobKenagy) July 13, 2023
The storm caused a shut-down at both Chicago-area airports, but damage was thankfully limited (and neither airport suffered damage).
Here’s more video and pictures, compiled by View From The Wing:
Woah!! A close call at Chicago O’Hare International Airport Wednesday evening as a tornado formed in the distance during severe storms. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/w5RYCFe0ij
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 13, 2023
Current look at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Shelter in place for several tornadoes! Stay safe out there🤍 pic.twitter.com/Tb8cCEd1uY
— Hannah Follman (@HannahFollmanTV) July 13, 2023
🚨O’Hare Int’l Airport—Tornado Warning #severeweatherwarning #ohareintlairport #tornado #summertravel #flightdelay pic.twitter.com/aNf0RuRDBJ
— Emily Nordhausen (@EmilyNordhausen) July 13, 2023
The view from Chicago Midway Airport as a tornado-warned storm pushed through moments ago.
Over 1.7 million people in the Chicago area were included within this tornado warning.
Video sent in by: Taylor Mobley#weather #tornado #stormhour #ilwx #wx pic.twitter.com/DO56S1lBza
— Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) July 12, 2023
Working at the airport during a tornado warning 🌪️ 💀
Should stayed at home 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/U6bRyMi0bN— SenpaiDeath27 ₆⁶₆ 💀🐍 (@DEATHEATERLARRY) July 12, 2023
Since I was a kid, I’ve loved the neon-lighted corridor at ORD, with United’s theme song of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. There’s always something so calming about walking through that tunnel and seeing the neon lights dart to and fro down the long tunnel as the familiar tune gently plays (though I would expect it got a little tedious for the thousands of folks waiting underground…).
Stay safe out there…it’s a summer of wild weather!
image: @RobKenagy / Twitter
I’ve thought of that tunnel in many ways over the years, “Iconic” is not one of them. If so the Dulles Mobile Lounges must receive the same designation.
I will admit though, in a tornado…I can’t imagine a better place! The tunnel, not the mobile lounges.
Well I think it’s iconic (and I love the mobile lounges too, but not quite as much!).
Puff Daddy shot a music video down there. It’s a pop culture icon at least
I hate that tunnel. I will be connecting through that airport later today and hope I won’t have to pass through it, much less get stuck in it for hours with thousands of the great unwashed.
Hopefully one of the dinosaur bones by the B entrance dislodges and impales your pea-sized brain…then we all win
you’re extra cranky today.
Another bad night in the bathhouse?
Nope, I just had my way with your mom last night, didn’t get my usual 8 hours of shut-eye
Reminds me of the London Underground stations during the Blitz
Your more likely to be killed by a Biden voter in Chicago than a tornado
Wherever you’re from your more likely to die from inbreeding related complications than anything else
Is that what happened to your kids after you bred your sister?
No sorry, I’m know you were hoping to find someone that could share your experience, but unfortunately you’re going to have to keep looking. Maybe try truth social or the conservative subreddit. The good thing about chicago for you is there might be a doctor there that can remove your extra fingers.
I was just hoping for yet another reason to laugh at you.
People like you really should be put in prison for life.
Inbred pedophiles like you should be castrated…as a starting point
I think I would’ve taken my chances topside. Or maybe at baggage claim.
When this first opened I thought that it would never hold up but to my surprise it did.