CHICAGO — A powerful round of torrential rain pummeled the Chicago area on Friday, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Flash Flood Warning for over 600,000 residents. The agency warned the public to take “immediate action” as more storms are forecast through Saturday afternoon.
Videos shared on social media showed residents wading through knee-deep and waist-deep floodwaters, with roads submerged and viaducts overwhelmed.
Widespread Flooding Hits South and West Sides
The NWS Chicago branch issued a warning around 5:30 p.m. Friday for Cook and DuPage counties, where rainfall estimates ranged from 3 to 5 inches in a short span of time. One striking clip posted by Adam Lucio showed deep flooding in a South Side neighborhood near Midway Airport, an area typically not prone to such severe water buildup.
“This is as bad as it gets,” Lucio said in his tweet, calling it “impressive” given the area’s usual flood resistance.
In Darien, water entered the police department facility at 1710 Plainfield Road, damaging evidence storage and causing a brief electrical outage, according to Deputy Police Chief Jason Norton.
Major Travel Disruptions Reported
The storms caused travel chaos across the city. At Midway Airport, travelers saw delays of up to 45 minutes, while O’Hare International Airport faced roughly 25-minute slowdowns, according to local reports.
One stretch of Interstate 55, just before First Avenue, was nearly impassable due to water levels, as seen in another clip posted by Sophie Sanchez.
Flooded viaducts were also reported near Drake Avenue between 47th Street and Archer Avenue, where commuters braved high waters to get through.
Mount Greenwood Affected by Utility Failures
On the Southwest Side, Mount Greenwood experienced diminished water pressure tied to a malfunction at the Southwest Pumping Station. Officials said restoration efforts were underway, but many homes and businesses saw service interruptions into the evening.
More Rain Coming — Residents Urged to Stay Alert
The Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 2:45 p.m., with a broader Flood Advisory lasting until 6 p.m., per the NWS Chicago. Meteorologists at ABC7 Chicago warn that another round of thunderstorms is expected between Friday night and Saturday afternoon, with localized flash flooding still a concern.
Have you experienced flooding in your area? Share your photos and updates with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com. Stay safe and stay tuned for more updates.
