Chicago, Illinois – Drivers and residents across Chicago and northern Illinois should brace for potential flash flooding through Saturday evening as waves of torrential thunderstorms target the region, raising the risk of road closures, rising creeks, and flooded basements.
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch remains in effect for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Lake, and surrounding counties—including key cities such as Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, and extending into Lake County, Indiana. The watch continues through at least 8 p.m. Saturday, with up to 2 inches of rain per hour possible during the heaviest storms. Recent heavy rainfall has already saturated the ground, increasing the risk that new downpours could trigger flash flooding, especially in low-lying neighborhoods and along clogged urban drains.
Communities along the Des Plaines and Fox Rivers, as well as busy corridors like I-55, I-88, and I-90, could see rapid water rises. Local emergency management urges drivers to avoid flooded streets—“Turn Around, Don’t Drown”—and asks residents to secure valuables from basements, charge phones, and clear debris from storm drains before rain intensifies.
Officials warn this weather setup is fueled by a tropical-like airmass rarely seen in late July, echoing summer flood events from 2023 and 2021. Additional rounds of thunderstorms are possible late Friday and again midday Saturday, with the potential for further watches or warnings if rain rates intensify.
Flood Watch alerts remain active across northern Illinois through Saturday evening. More updates will follow as storms develop.
