Stranded passengers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) found a colorful refuge on July 13, 2023 when the state was battered by multiple tornadoes that disrupted air traffic.
ORD airport’s neon-lit tunnel, connecting concourses B and C of Terminal 1, became a safe shelter for hundreds of airport passengers and staff.
Rob Kenagy, a passenger who had a flight booked to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), took this striking photograph from his phone while on an escalator.
Image: Rob Kenagy Twitter @RobKenagy
The tunnel’s neon lights, along with the ceiling mirror reflection gave the photograph an almost psychedelic effect.
In contrast, this is what the tunnel looks like when empty:
More footage of the underground tunnel from various angles:
Reports say that at least three tornadoes touched down near ORD Airport on July 13, 2023.
Services at the airport were paused until the severe weather abated.
ORD airport later posted photographs of its runway, showing operations back to normal after the storm.