Multiple tornadoes, heavy rains and high winds in the last few days have wreaked havoc on Chicago.

The big picture: This has been the second-busiest year for tornadoes, behind 2011, as climate change is increasing the likelihood of severe weather outbreaks.

Driving the news: The National Weather Service yesterday was surveying several areas for damage, including in Joliet and Kankakee, and one woman in Northwest Indiana died after a tree fell on her house Monday night, the Sun-Times reported.

• Trees were down citywide yesterday and ComEd was working to restore power for thousands of customers, as about 200,000 had been affected at one point.

State of play: Tornadoes reportedly touched down at both O'Hare and Midway Airports on Monday night, with travelers sharing images of sheltering in place and views from the runway.

• The NWS has confirmed 11 tornadoes from Monday's storm.
• Broadcast meteorologists marveled at Monday's derecho weather system, with multiple forecasters saying they'd never seen a storm like it before.
• The NWS also reported that Sunday storms produced six tornadoes in the area, including one from Midway to Bronzeville and another from Englewood to Jackson Park. Both recorded 80 mph winds.

Between the lines: The new reality is forcing local governments to allocate more resources to weather-related cleanup and aftermath.

• Last year, July's thunderstorms caused several West Side homes to flood, leading President Biden to approve a disaster declaration.

The latest: Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing yesterday announced more funds for the Flood Assistance Repair Program (FARP), which was created to help 2023 flood victims.

• $5 million will be added to the $172 million already allocated by FEMA, and it will be prioritized to help seniors residing in single-family homes.
• Recipients are eligible for up to $25,000.

Yes, but: That investment is retroactive and isn't designed to assist current flood victims — or future victims.

• This summer is shaping up to be just as bad. Last week, before the back-to-back storms, rains flooded basements on the South Side.

What's next: The city says crews are working "around the clock" to repair damage from this week's storms.

After Monday night's derecho, the Chicago area woke up to startling images of uprooted trees — everywhere.

The big picture: The City's Department of Streets and Sanitation says that since Sunday's storm, it has received 2,394 emergency calls for downed trees, broken limbs and debris.

• Many of the fallen trees and limbs downed power lines and caused extensive property damage.
• And some big, old, beloved trees perished from the high winds.

What's next: DSS says crews are actively working to clear damaged tree parts. Residents are encouraged to dial 311 to report storm debris.

📫 Did you lose a tree? Or take a photo of the aftermath? Reply to this email with the photo, and we'll try to feature it in an upcoming newsletter.

💳 Chicago police have issued a warning over a series of pickpocket crimes in the Loop. There have been over 20 such incidents since June. (ABC7)

🙏🏽 Chicago pastor Corey Brooks gave the final prayer on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention. (Sun-Times)

🚧 I-55 near Channahon in Will County is still closed after several vehicles got entangled with downed power lines from Monday's storm. (NBC5)

🏈 The Bears signed rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to a four-year contract worth $39 million. The team also came to terms with fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze. The Bears' training camp begins Friday. (Tribune)

Two of the nation's best hospitals are in Chicago, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The big picture: The annual list evaluates thousands of hospitals nationwide based on patient outcome, patient experience in both specialty and general care, staffing and technology, and expertise of board-certified specialists.

Driving the news: The list released yesterday includes Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center on the "Honor Roll" of 20 of the best hospitals in the country.

• The hospitals tied for best in the state.

Zoom in: Northwestern ranked in the top 20 for specialties including cancer care, endocrinology and obstetrics/gynecology.

• Rush's specialties that fall in the top 20 include neurology, geriatrics and orthopedics.
• Both Rush and Northwestern are teaching hospitals.

Yes, but: The hospitals ranked lower than others on the list for providing care to patients considered low-income, and for proportionately serving the area's non-white populace.

The intrigue: The report includes Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago and Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana as the best in the state for providing equitable access to care.

• They excel in the same areas as others on the best hospital list and serve a large share of patients on Medicaid and from socio-economically disinvested areas, while lacking the same resources as other care centers.

📆 Start planning your days ahead.

Chicago Food Truck Festival at South Loop on July 20: Come out and taste from some of Chicago's top gourmet food trucks and tent vendors. So join us as we gather some of Chicago's top food trucks. $0-$80.

"The Last Wide Open" at American Blues Theatre now through August 18: Experience a charming, heartfelt rom-com set in Chicago. Lina and Mikołaj's lives intersect and parallel as three alternative realities unfold in this beautiful love story with music. $25-$65.

The Jerusalem Youth Chorus in Concert at The Chicago Cultural Center on July 18: The Jerusalem Youth Chorus, consisting of 25 Palestinian and Israeli singers from East and West Jerusalem raising their voices to push back against the violence surrounding them, will visit Chicago for one night only. The concert will also feature Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly the Chicago Children's Choir).

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

This challenge was too easy.

Most of you guessed correctly that Justin was indeed on the Northwest Side near Ravenswood Manor at the Francisco stop on the Brown Line.

• It's one of the only stops in Chicago where the "L" comes down to street level!

As always, thanks for playing. And check out our archive here.