Midwest musings

It is hard to believe we are already in the thick of summer. It seems like this year is flying, and turbulent Midwest weather always keeps me on my toes. Sometimes, it makes me question what month we’re even in.  

In May, Illinois had a dust storm, a rare occurrence for the state, and even rarer for us city folk in Chicago. The last time a dust storm affected Chicago was May 31, 1985, according to the National Weather Service. The 2025 dust storm started toward the middle of the state in Bloomington then moved to the Chicago metropolitan area. I know I am not the only one who brushed off the warning that came through on our phones, but color me shocked when I came out of the grocery store 10 minutes later to yellow, hazy skies and dust sprinkling on my face. 

This happened on the same day that a severe weather outbreak featuring multiple deadly tornadoes tore across central and eastern U.S. In retrospect, the dust storm was small potatoes. Weather is always a bit of a roller coaster as seasons change, and the Midwest is no stranger to tornadoes in spring, but the consequences can always be devastating. I hope everyone who was in the path of those tornadoes is safe and recovering as well as possible. 

With these ever-changing weather patterns, it makes me more eager to get to StormCon 2025. As stormwater professionals gather from around the country, the show provides a perfect opportunity for collaborating and sharing ideas on how towns across the nation are working to manage stormwater, be more resilient and build more sustainable programs.   

This year’s StormCon is taking place from August 26-28 in Orlando, Florida. With its coastal location and ample waterways, it is an ideal location to talk about stormwater and erosion control. I hope you’ll join us and help propel the industry forward. For more information, the full conference schedule, and to register for this year’s show, visit stormcon.com.