Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A violent round of storms Friday left widespread flooding on Chicago area roads.

Storms produced hail and high winds, and up to 3 inches of rain fell across several northern suburbs. There were reports of flooding and downed trees in several towns.

By late Friday, more than 120,000 customers in and around the Chicago area were without power.

As of 9 p.m., about 121,000 customers were without power across the service territory, according to ComEd spokeswoman Marie Turrell, who said about 23,400 customers in Chicago are without power. The outages have also affected 23,400 customers in the western suburbs, 36,400 in the southern suburbs and 38,600 customers in the northern suburbs.

ComEd had dispatched 280 crews, who were working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, Turrell said.

Earlier Friday, storms knocked out power to about 19,500 Commonwealth Edison customers, ComEd spokesman Jeff Burdick said. Crews had restored power to most of those customers following the storms, with only 5,500 customers still without service as of 3 p.m., Burdick said.

With nearly two inches of rain falling in the past 24 hours and more rain expected, the elevated levels of the Des Plaines River may cause flooded roadways. The storms may also cause flash flooding in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.


SLIDESHOW: Storm Sweeps Through Chicago
TELL THE STORY: Send Us Pictures Of The Storm

The storm system produced a dangerous "ring of fire" pattern, in which storms erupt in a violent ring around the edge of a high-pressure ridge.

It prompted officials to order a ground stop at O'Hare and Midway airports, under which no flights could arrive or depart until the system passed. But even afterward, delays at O'Hare reached more than two hours for all flights in and out of the airport. More than 200 flights were canceled due to weather.

At Midway, delays were averaging 90 minutes, with a few cancellations reported, according to the city's Aviation Department. 

ComEd said the storms have knocked out power to several thousand customers, but the number was reduced as the day wore on.

The storm launched dangerous lightning through the air, and one intense lightning bolt struck the WBBM Newsradio 780 transmitter farm in Itasca at 12:10 p.m. knocking the station off the air.

The storm destroyed several trees, one of which fell on a person at Glenwood and Foster avenues in the Andersonville neighborhood.

Luckily, neighbors heard the commotion and rushed to help.

"I heard the hail and the wind and the rain, and it was like major swirling wind and it was just so strong and just so loud," said Marlene Flood. "I thought, oh my god, I gotta go downstairs and so I came down here and this man was like trapped. He was like woven in the tree like backwards and I don't know where it hit him. I got him a pillow and an umbrella and then we called 911 and the police and the fire trucks and the ambulance came. I hope he's OK."

The victim was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.

Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation spokesman Matt Smith said late Friday that department crews had responded to 350 tree emergencies, ranging from uprooted trees to downed or damaged tree limbs. Many of these incidents were concentrated in North Side neighborhoods near the lakefront, including portions of Uptown, Andersonville, Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Rogers Park.

The city department also received hundreds of reports of flooded basements and streets.

The storm also cut power to 35 traffic signals, damaged 12 light poles, and took down 10 wires, the department said. The streetlights went out on at least 17 blocks.

The underpass at Lake Shore Drive and Foster is inundated with 7 feet of water, according to the Fire Department.

The Edens Expressway was closed in both directions between Touhy and Peterson due to flooding near Pratt Avenue earlier Friday afternoon. Across the region, road closures in the evening included Mannheim Road between Interstate 190 and Irving Park Road and Grand Avenue at Skokie Highway.

Just before 11 a.m., rain poured violently from dark, menacing skies in the Loop. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. Daley Plaza was set up for a Bike to Work Day Rally, but it was deserted, except for presenters who had to take shelter under tents.

The Mayor's Office of Special Events eventually canceled the rest of the rally and took down the tents. The bikes that had been parked in the plaza will be available in the Daley Center.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson was approaching the Des Plaines Oasis on the Jane Addams Tollway around 10 a.m., and saw ominous, charcoal-colored clouds. Afterward, the rain became so torrential that it was hard to see even where to exit for the Des Plaines Oasis.

Tens of thousands of people across the area lost power because of an earlier round of storms Friday morning. A total of 82,000 customers were without power due to the storms as of 6:30 a.m. – among them 46,000 in the city of Chicago, 21,000 in the northern suburbs, and 15,000 in the western suburbs, ComEd officials said.

Widespread flooding in homes was also reported. One woman reported serious flooding in her Albany Park neighborhood home near Spaulding and Sunnyside avenues. She said it was probably the third time in the past two year area has major flooding – says there's water in basements and streets are flooded.

Crews for the city Department of Water Management answered 328 calls for water in the streets, and 192 calls for water in basements, city officials said.. They remind residents not to enter a flooded basement unless they are certain the power is shut off.

The Chicago Department of Public Health also reminds Chicagoans to avoid handling electrical equipment in wet areas, keep children away from flooded areas, and avoid eating food that has been touched by flood water. But food and beverages that are sealed in cans and bottles may be safe, although they must be washed with warm, soapy water, and rinsed in a solution of water and bleach.

Also, anyone going into a flooded basement should wear protective clothing, including boots, rubber gloves and long sleeved shirts, to avoid contact with contaminated objects.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District are monitoring the Chicago River in case of flooding.

OEMC is also in contact with Navy Pier, the Cubs, and other organizations and venues with planned outdoor festivals. The Cubs-White Sox Crosstown Classic game at Wrigley Field has been postponed due to the rain.

City departments will work hard to answer all calls for service, and will assess the complete damage caused by the storms once they are completely over. Anyone who needs assistance can call 311, and storm damage can be reported at both 311 and cityofchicago.org

Earlier Storm Causes Trouble Too
The midday storm came on the heels of earlier severe weather that woke Chicago up at 3:30 in the morning.

In the wee hours around the Chicago area, the rain fell fast and furiously, and many streets were left flooded and had to be closed. In addition, the North Branch of the Chicago River rose rapidly at Deerfield, the National Weather Service reported.

Among the roads closed by flooding on the earlier storm were Wheeling Road between Dundee and Hintz roads in Wheeling, Sheridan Road north of Tower Road in Winnetka. The viaduct at Ashland Avenue and Cortland Street near the Kennedy Expressway was also flooded, and a car was stuck, CBS 2's Kris Habermehl reported.

In Gurnee, Grand Avenue was flooded out between O'Plaine Road and First Place, and on the Bishop Ford Freeway, high standing water was causing backups on Cottage Grove Avenue. Flooding was reported on both the Bishop Ford and Interstate 57 near the Dan Ryan junction at 95th Street.

A National Weather Service employee who lives in Evanston reported that 1.96 inches of rain fell outside his house in the early morning storm. He also reported that his basement was flooded.

CBS 2's Ed Curran, Susan Carlson, Kris Habermehl and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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