Lake in the Hills Ribfest called off for Thursday due to storm; many downed trees in Marengo area

Ribfest in Lake in the Hills has been evacuated Thursday evening and has been canceled for the night, according to an alert from the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

The Lake in the Hills department sent out an alert at 5:12 p.m. Thursday telling attendees to evacuate immediately due to lighting and “severe weather conditions.” Later in the evening, another alert indicated the festival was canceled for the night.

People should go to their vehicles or homes, according to the alert.

Elsewhere in the McHenry County area, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Crystal Lake until 6:45 p.m. Thursday, with a flood watch until 1:45 a.m. Friday. Marengo officials also reported trees and power lines down along River Road near the city.

A release from the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts said a strong and fast-moving storm around 6:45 Thursday brought heavy rain and powerful winds, which toppled numerous trees, blocked roadways, and downed power lines.

Affected roads included River, Millstream and Garden Prairie roads in unincorporated McHenry County, as well as Randall Court in Marengo, district Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said.

ComEd has been notified of the damaged power lines, and township crews were working to remove debris, Vucha said. as of 8:30 p.m., fire crews remained in the field assisting with road closures and addressing power line hazards.

“Residents are urged to avoid any downed wires and to assume all power lines are energized,” Vucha said in a news release. “Never attempt to move or drive over downed lines and report them immediately to 911 or ComEd.”

Thursday was to be the first night of Ribfest at 5200 Miller Road, which is expected to run through Sunday. The festival was supposed to run 4:30 to 11 p.m. Thursday and is expected to run 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

There will be ribs from around the country and a rib judging contest is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. Sunday.

Thursday was also the first day of McHenry’s Fiesta Days festival, which as of about 5:30 p.m. Thursday was still on for the night, according to a McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce official.