Heavy overnight rains close roads across suburbs
A flash flood warning was issued for portions of Cook, Lake and DuPage counties this morning due to heavy overnight rains, meteorologists say.
The National Weather Service said rainfall totals measured 4.5 inches near Midway Airport this morning. The flash flood warning was set to expire at 8:30 a.m. Addison and Carol Stream are among the towns the weather service said could expect flooding.
The heavy rain overnight forced state officials to close the Eisenhower Expressway between First and Harlem avenues in Chicago because of high water. The CTA also suspended service on the Blue Line because of heavy rains.
Oak Lawn in Cook County has registered 3.75 inches of rain overnight, and Schaumburg received 2.8 inches, according to the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network website. The website said Westmont received 4 inches of rain, while Bloomingdale had 5.5 inches.
Bill Morris, a hydraulist with the National Weather Service, said the heaviest rains overnight were at Midway Airport and in central Cook County near Bedford Park and Elwood.
Over a 24-hour period, Morris said, areas in DuPage County eclipsed 5 inches of rain and parts of Cook County had more than 4 inches.
Salem Drive at Schaumburg Road near Hanover Park has been shut down because of flooding, officials said. Irving Park Road between Wright Boulevard and Roselle Road near Bloomingdale and Army Trail Road at Mill Road in Addison is also closed because of high water.
The National Weather Service said most of the heavy rain has ended, but light to moderate rain is still possible across southern Cook County.
Runoff from the excessive rain overnight could cause additional flooding, authorities said, and could result in elevated levels on some creeks and streams.