Heavy rain floods underpasses, basements and roads across Chicago area
CHICAGO - Heavy rains flooded roads, underpasses and basements across the Chicago area on Sunday, with a flash flood warning in effect until 6:30 p.m.
Drivers struggled through flooding on I-57 at 127th, the Eisenhower Expressway, and some underpasses on Highway 41 in Lake County.
At 4:40 p.m., the National Weather Service advised that drivers "*Strongly* consider postponing non-essential travel in most of Chicago and nearby suburbs until the floodwaters subside. Ongoing significant flooding is continuing on some area interstates."
I-55 was shut down in both directions near Pulaski due to ongoing flooding for a few hours, according to Illinois State Police. The expressway was reopened around 1 p.m.
The rain also impacted NASCAR Chicago, with the Loop 121 Race shortened.
On city streets, the intersections of Kostner and Fillmore, 26th and Ogden, 33rd and California, and Kinzie and Cicero were flooded.
Storm damage in Oz Park in Chicago, photo courtesy Liz Figler
FOX 32 Chicago's newsroom on Michigan Avenue near Lake Street was also flooded and staff had to be relocated temporarily.
The city of Chicago said in a statement:
The Department of Water Management has all available flood mitigation equipment on the streets and is prioritizing assistance to areas where motorists are stuck in flooded viaducts. Please avoid driving in flooding areas. To assist with moving water into the wastewater system, please do not use extra water to shower, do laundry or dishes while experiencing storm conditions. As our climate changes and we see heavier rain events in compressed periods of time, it is difficult for our sewer system to move the water efficiently. While it may present a temporary inconvenience, it is better for water to pool on the street than in residents’ basements.
Mostly dry weather will also be in store for us Monday and Tuesday as temps warm back up into the mid and upper 80s, and close to 90 degrees for the fourth.
For more weather updates visit Fox 32's Weather Alert page.