Weather
Illinois Weather: Chicago and Northwest Indiana Recover from Historic 7.78-Inch Rainfall Over Four-Day Period
Chicago, Illinois – Following a significant weather event that saw rainfall totals as high as 7.78 inches, the region is working to recover from widespread…
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-09-21T18:55:01.421Z
Chicago, Illinois – Following a significant weather event that saw rainfall totals as high as 7.78 inches, the region is working to recover from widespread flooding that impacted northern Illinois and northwest Indiana late last week through the weekend. While the rain has stopped, local agencies continue to monitor the effects of the deluge on roads, creeks, and low lying areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago , the highest observed rainfall occurred near Earlville, with multiple locations reporting between 5 and 7 inches of precipitation over the four day event. Airports, including Sugar Grove Aurora Airport and O’Hare, also recorded significant moisture, impacting local transport and infrastructure.
The saturated ground and high water levels have put additional strain on local infrastructure, from residential basements in Kaneville to roadways in Will and Cook counties. Local authorities have been collecting reports to assess the full extent of the flooding impacts across the suburban and rural sectors of the Chicago metropolitan area.
With the heaviest rain now out of the area, the focus turns toward monitoring secondary flooding risks as water slowly drains from the most affected zones. Residents should continue to exercise caution around lingering standing water in flood prone neighborhoods.