Anyone in Chicago or with their eyes on social media this weekend couldn't have avoided the scary sights produced by an afternoon storm.
"The CTA Blue Line saw massive delays after lightning struck the platform at the UIC-Medical District station Sunday evening, causing explosions and fire," reports Alex Nitkin.
"Video from the scene shows electrical fires, several explosions and a partially collapsed roof at the station," adds Nitkin.
Somehow, despite the spectacularly terrifying evidence shown in the amateur videos below, it all could have been mush worse. "The canopy over one of the station's pedestrian ramps collapsed, but the ramp itself was undamaged," reports Nitkin.
[Editor's note: There is some fairly frantic making of sounds in this video. Possibly turn down the volume before watching. Or not.]
@JimCantore - just saw this, unbelievable pic.twitter.com/AyLdKr3NSs
— Isles OfErin (@IslesofErin) July 25, 2016
FULL STORY: Lightning Hits Blue Line Stop, Causing Explosions, Fire And Canopy Collapse

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie