Update: 4 counties declared disaster areas

Emergency state resources are now available to suburbs in Cook, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties to help repair damage caused by mass flooding and violent storms that pummeled the region yesterday.

The four counties were declared "state disaster areas" as a about a quarter of a million homes and business remain without electricity, scores of traffic lights sit dark and two major rivers overflow onto roads and into basements.

The declaration frees up tax dollars to pay for emergency operations and authorizes state agencies to provide local police and fire departments with needed equipment to stop flooding and remove uprooted trees.

Several suburbs through Cook and all the collar counties remain completely without power today, shutting down traffic signals and causing massive delays on the road. Water also continues to flood some low-lying roads and viaducts, making them impassable and pushing traffic into impromptu detours.

The Des Plaines and Fox rivers, already overflowing before yesterday's downpours, are riding even higher. In Des Plaines, which was once considered safe from extreme floods this week, the village hall has been turned into a safe haven for evacuees. The river there is nearly 4 feet above flood stage and it will not likely retreat until Wednesday, authorities say.

Across the suburbs, drivers are being advised not to attempt to cross flooded roads and to allow considerable extra time for traveling.

A second wave of thunderstorms is expected sometime after 3 p.m., with the most severe winds and rain expected to hit the western and southern suburbs. Storms to the northwest may not be as violent as those that ravaged the region yesterday and overnight.

"We could see some winds at 70 mph in them," noted Nathan Marsili, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The storms will subside by Saturday, he said.

The additional wind and rain will only exacerbate the ongoing power outages and flooding.

More than 220,000 customers in the Chicago region remain without power. Most - some 139,000 - are in the North and Northwest suburbs. Another 5,000 are in the western region.

It will take "multiple days" to get everyone back on line, says ComEd spokeswoman Judy Rader.

"This was one of the most violent storms we have seen in recent history," she said. "We saw 80 mph winds knocking down trees into our power lines. It will take some time for poles to be put up and lines to be re-strung before everyone has their power back."

ComEd has 720 crews working to restore power, including workers brought in from other utility companies to handle the extensive damage, she said. Since yesterday more than 550,000 people had been without power for some amount of time.

At O'Hare International Airport, airlines were scurrying to get through a backlog of hundreds of stranded passengers this morning before new storms rake the area.

Cancellations at O'Hare were tallied over 20 early this morning with delays of at least 45 minutes expected. Midway International Airport reported few disruptions, said Chicago aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride.

Flyers should contact their airlines for further information on delays or visit www.flychicago.com.

On Metra, trains are running with some relatively minor delays, particularly on the UP-West Line. Trains on the Milwaukee-District West Line are running at least 10 minutes late due to gate malfunctions. This follows an evening rush hour

"Things are not too bad considering yesterday's weather and damage," Tom Miller, Metra spokesman.

Meanwhile, the roads are a sloppy mess. Some are flooded over and scores of traffic lights are out across the suburbs, causing backups and creating dangerous intersections.

"Where ever we have power outages, those are affecting the signals," said state transportation spokesman Mike Claffey.

Information on the location of most of the damage this morning is sketchy, but the following is a running list:

In Cook County:

The Des Plaines River has flooded over its banks in many places and shut down Golf Road near River Road in Des Plaines. Additionally, westbound Route 58 is closed near Ela Road.

Barrington officials were reporting "unprecedented" flooding conditions along its waterways. Officials are providing sandbags at the village hall and police station.

Arlington Heights officials are reporting numerous traffic light outages, including along Northwest Highway in the downtown area and along Arlington Heights Road. A large tree is down on Algonquin Road blocking traffic east of Golf Road.

"The devastating rainfall has produced floods that have caused economic damage and hardship for residents and businesses countywide," said Cook County Board President Todd Stroger in a prepared statement.

In DuPage County:

Addison officials say numerous lights are out up and down Lake Street, Addison Road and Army Road.

North Avenue through Villa Park and Lombard has traffic lights out.

Power remains out at the industrial park in Itasca.

Lombard is reporting a traffic light out at Route 53 and North Avenue.

West Chicago is reporting nearly every traffic light in the village is out.

In Lake County:

Major traffic jams are being caused by a traffic light outages at Route 53 and Lake Cook Road.

Gurnee officials are expecting the Des Plaines River to crest at nearly 10 feet on Saturday. Today it is about 2 feet above flood stage. Motorists should stay away from Kilbourn Road and Emerald Avenue because of flooding. Route 132 is expected to be affected later today, but Route 41 remains open.

Near Route 173, the Des Plaines River is reportedly about a foot from coming onto that road and stopping traffic.

In Fox Lake, Clark and Fredrick Street and Linden Avenue area under water.

In Kane and McHenry County:

The Fox River continues to rise - flooding began several days ago - threatening nearby roads and homes.

In St. Charles, a traffic light is out at Randall and Crane roads.