There is a tornado watch in place for the afternoon and evening in Chicago's south suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

Several states in the central U.S. were hit hard overnight by a deadly storm that reportedly caused flash flooding and even destructive tornadoes.

Hurricane-force winds were also reported in parts of the area. Wind gusts topped out at 81 mph in Valparaiso, Indiana, 75 mph in Lakes of the Four Seasons in Indiana, and 74 mph in Gary, Indiana, and Lynwood, Illinois.

National Weather Service officials are expecting Wednesday waves of showers and thunderstorms to hit the Chicago area capable of producing damaging winds and large hail and possibly tornadoes.

Starting early Wednesday, the area could see showers, thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 30 mph, the National Weather Service said. Chicago's OEMC is advising residents to reduce water usage to put less stress on sewers.

A warm front is lifting northward through Chicagoland, creating a favorable environment for severe storms going into the evening hours. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes will be possible with any storms that become severe. Following the storms this evening, skies will become partly cloudy tonight with lows in the 40s.

The Chicago area could see strong-to-severe thunderstorms on Sunday, with isolated tornadoes and damaging winds possible.

A meteorologist with the Weather Company debunked some of the most common myths surrounding severe storms. Find out more.