Rockford, Illinois – A two-day deluge drenched northern Illinois, with neighborhoods from Rockford to Elgin picking up more than five inches of rain and flash flooding forcing road closures late Thursday. The heaviest rain bands hammered areas north of I-80 and west of I-55, pushing totals above 5.5 inches in spots like NW Machesney Park, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.
Rockford, Dixon, and Sleepy Hollow all saw upwards of 4 inches, while Chicago’s O’Hare Airport officially recorded 2.19 inches over the July 10-11 period. By late Thursday afternoon, water covered multiple streets in Rockford and Elgin, and emergency crews responded to cars stalled by floodwaters. Drivers along US-20 and IL-72 faced significant ponding, with delays and detours reported in both Winnebago and Boone counties.
Homeowners in affected neighborhoods scrambled to protect basements, while officials urged residents to stay off flooded roads and monitor local alerts. The heavy rainfall arrived as a stationary front lingered over the region, drawing in repeated waves of thunderstorms—similar to last summer’s July downpours.
While rain moved out overnight, minor flooding remains possible in low-lying areas. Additional advisories may be issued if runoff continues to strain drainage systems. Stay tuned for updates from NWS Chicago as summer storms remain a threat through the weekend.
