Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ― The entire Chicago area was swamped by record rainfall, forcing residents to evacuate homes and causing major travel delays. The storms are expected to increase in coverage and intensity and could produce up to three more inches of rain by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service said the 3.2 inches rainfall at O'Hare by 7 a.m. Saturday morning broke the 2.62 inches record for overnight-to-morning rainfall set in 1936.

Heavy rainfall is expected to shift south of Interstate 80 Saturday night. Areas north of I-80 will see a lull in rainfall Saturday night before heavy rainfall resumes early Sunday, particularly east of Interstate 55, the weather service said.

As a result, the weather service has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties that will remain in effect until 4:15 a.m. Monday. A flood watch is also in effect through Sunday night for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Reports indicate a large portion of the warned areas already received up to eight inches of rain and many creeks and streams are out of their banks and rivers are above flood stage, the weather service said.

The rain already has caused severe flooding in west suburban Arlington Heights, where a man apparently drowned in a Park District retention basin Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

In west suburban Franklin Park, waist-high water forced residents to evacuate their homes, authorities said. Firefighters rescued people and pets from houses, but no injuries were reported.

The heavy rain has also caused evacuations in the northwest suburbs. In Rolling Meadows, more about 40 families were evacuated from apartments flooded along Algonquin Road. Additionally, 13 flooded roadways were closed and crews began sandbagging the nearby Salt Creek, according to a release from Rolling Meadows.

South Elgin Village President Jim Hansen said all the village's retention ponds filled up by Saturday morning and firefighters evacuated homes along Martin Drive south of Kane Street. Busy Spring Street was also closed for several blocks in the area.

The new rain -- remnants of Hurricane Ike -- could especially cause flooding of the Skokie River in Lake Forest, Buffalo Creek in Wheeling, Salt Creek in Rolling Meadows, Elmhurst and Western Springs, Weller Creek in Des Plaines, the North Branch of the Chicago River in Deerfield and the East Branch of the DuPage River in Bolingbrook, the weather service said.

In Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, the North Branch of the Chicago River has already flooded some areas with over three feet of water, according to the weather service. Chicago Police have received reports of severe flooding near West Foster and North Springfield avenues.

The rainfall could also cause flooding on highways, underpasses, county roads and farmlands along the banks of creeks, streams and other low lying areas, the weather service said.

On the expressways, the rain caused the closure of all lanes on the Edens Expressway (I-94) near the Pratt Avenue exit Saturday morning, but all lanes were reopened Saturday afternoon, according to Illinois State Police District Chicago.

Additionally, Saturday's heavy rainfall caused disruptions on the CTA Blue Line between the Rosemont and O'Hare stations and on the Yellow Line between the Howard and Skokie stations, according to the CTA's Web site. Shuttle buses have been established, but customers should allow extra travel time.

In the air, the rain has caused low visibility at Chicago's airports, leading to lengthy delays and numerous cancellations.

Chicago's Department of Aviation is reporting more than 50 flights have been cancelled because of weather at O'Hare Airport, where delays are averaging 90 minutes.

At Midway Airport, delays are averaging about 45 minutes, but the only cancellations have been on flights bound for Houston, the department said.

The temperature is expected to drop to about 62 degrees Saturday night with a 70-percent chance of precipitation.

On Sunday, there will be a 90-percent chance of rainfall with a high near 70 degrees, according to the weather service. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.

The temperature will drop in the high 50s Sunday night with a 50-percent chance of showers before 1 a.m. The rain is expected to stop Monday, when temperatures are predicted to reach 66 degrees, the weather service said. 

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Editor's Picks

• Gay Celebrities
• Did You Know? Stars From Chicago!
• Celebs Who Lean To The Right
• Real Or Fake?