Chicago, Illinois – Streets across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana remained underwater late Monday night as torrential rain prompted a Flood Watch that will stay in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday. Officials warn drivers that several major routes, particularly near the Interstate 80 corridor, have closures from standing water.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, 3 to 8 inches of rain have already fallen since Monday afternoon, with the highest totals south of Joliet and into northwest Indiana. Additional downpours capable of producing 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour could quickly worsen flooding conditions overnight.
Communities from Rockford to Kankakee and into Lake and Porter counties in Indiana are under the watch, with urban areas and poor drainage spots at highest risk. Creeks and rivers remain elevated, and emergency managers stress that flooding will be harder to detect in the dark.
Travelers are urged to avoid flooded roadways, charge devices in case of power outages, and monitor local alerts. Officials remind residents: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
The Flood Watch will expire at 4 a.m. Tuesday, but more advisories could follow depending on overnight rainfall.
