Chicago, IL – Torrential thunderstorms capable of producing up to 2 inches of rain per hour could flood streets and underpasses across the Chicago metro area beginning Tuesday afternoon and continuing into the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Flood Watch is in effect from early Tuesday afternoon through late tonight for much of northern Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana. The watch includes Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, La Salle and Kankakee counties in Illinois, along with Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
Forecasters warn that repeated rounds of storms may develop from late afternoon into the evening, with the heaviest rainfall likely during the evening commute. Urban areas—including Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet and Schaumburg—face the greatest flood risk as drainage systems struggle to handle intense downpours.
Roadways, viaducts and underpasses across Cook County could quickly fill with water, while smaller creeks and drainage canals may surge out of their banks in spots that already saw heavy rain earlier this week.
Drivers are urged to slow down and avoid water-covered roads Tuesday night, especially in low-lying areas where flooding develops quickly.
Storm activity may continue through late tonight, and additional flood alerts could be issued if thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same communities.
