Record 9 Inches of Rain Floods Parts of Chicago

A series of storms dumped nearly nine inches of rain on parts of Chicago today, the most ever recorded in a 24-hour period. The downpour turned freeways into rivers, flooded countless basements and stranded work-bound commuters by the thousands.

Authorities used boats to rescue residents stranded in floodwaters up to six feet high.

Parts of two major expressways on the city’s northwest side, including the highway that connects O’Hare International Airport to downtown, were under three feet of water. The rapid transit line to O’Hare was also knocked out of service when water covered the tracks.

Electrical Storms

No serious injuries were reported in the electrical storms that began late last night and continued through the morning.

O’Hare Airport recorded 8.9 inches of rain by 9 a.m., the most ever recorded there in a 24-hour period. The previous record was 6.2 inches, set in 1957.

Other rainfall amounts in suburban Chicago included nearly eight inches in Elmhurst and 8.5 inches in Arlington Heights.

The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the northeastern part of Illinois, saying that the Des Plaines River, which winds through Chicago’s western suburbs, is likely to overflow its banks.

Water Up to Hoods

Cars with water nearly to hood-level dotted the Kennedy Expressway. Massive traffic jams resulted when rush-hour commuters attempted to reverse directions.

Other streets across the city’s northwest side and into neighboring suburbs were also impassable.

“We have a flash-flood situation,” said Gregg Durham, spokesman for the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. “There’s not really that much that can be done with sandbagging. The term flash-flood means you can’t sandbag fast enough to get anything accomplished.”

Small creeks and streams spilled over their banks and swirling floodwaters swallowed up cars.

Major Roads Closed

All major roads in suburban Wheeling were closed and authorities manned boats to rescue motorists who were left stranded on the tops of their cars.

Shortly before 6 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for suburban DuPage and northern Cook counties, the scene of major flooding last fall. Scattered power outages were reported throughout the affected areas.

Flooding on tracks in downtown Chicago forced officials to close a 12-block section along one rapid-transit route for 90 minutes.

Water was thigh-deep in the parking lot of an apartment complex in suburban Mount Prospect, where the current flowing down main streets was so strong residents could not get across.

“I’ve lived in this area for 30 years and never seen anything like this,” said Carol Nirva as a man with a can of beer floated by in an inflatable raft.

About 200 people in suburban Schiller Park were evacuated, as were an undetermined number of people in Mount Prospect.

Flood gates in Chicago and suburban Wilmette were opened, allowing raw sewage and runoff water to flow into Lake Michigan.