Storms through Tuesday morning could bring floods along rivers
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to soak the area into Tuesday morning, National Weather Service officials said.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire area lasting until 10 p.m. The service warns of "Ping-Pong ball size" hail and damaging winds of up to 60 mph, with frequent lightning and heavy rain. The thunderstorms have moved quickly east through the suburbs.
Isolated thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the evening particularly in western suburbs.
"Recent radar scans show a corridor of very strong winds likely well over 60 mph across rural central DeKalb county south of DeKalb area, moving east-southeast at 40 mph," the weather service tweeted just after 9 p.m. about a warning that included some of Kane County.
Earlier, Cheryl Scott, meteorologist for ABC 7 Chicago, tweeted at about 6:15 p.m. that an inch of rain fell in 24 minutes in Carol Stream. Hundreds of flight delays were being reported at O'Hare.
The rain has already thoroughly soaked Lake County, with many places recording 1 to 2 inches of rain overnight Sunday into today, meteorologist Any Seeley said.
Gurnee received 2.11 inches of rain through Monday afternoon, Fox Lake and Lakemoor recorded about 1.8 inches, Round Lake 1.7 inches and Lake Villa 1.6 inches, the Community Collaborative Ran, Snow and Hail Network reported.
Standing water forced the closure of Grand Avenue at O'Plaine Road in Gurnee, while lanes were reduced at Crescent Avenue in Waukegan, Washington Street in Gurnee, and Grand Avenue at Rollins Road in Fox Lake.
Seeley said the second wave of storms will move quickly and produce less rainfall.
Depending on the amount of rainfall, additional localized flooding could take place, officials warn.
The weather service is forecasting minor flooding on the Fox and Des Plaines rivers this week.
The Fox River in New Munster, Wisconsin, is at minor flood stage at 10.75 feet, and could rise nearly three more feet before cresting later this week. That water is expected to hit the Chain O' Lakes near the end of the week.
The Des Plaines River is expected to reach minor flood stage levels from Russell Road near Zion to Des Plaines Tuesday. It's currently 6.5 feet in Gurnee, and expected to crest after rising an additional 18 inches. Water levels are at 11.7 feet in Des Plaines, and expected to rise four more feet before cresting at the end of the week.
The weather service has issued flood warnings and advisories for areas around the Fox River, Chain O' Lakes and Des Plaines River.
There is also a small stream advisory for the area.