Severe storm brings heavy rain, flooding through Chicago area

A severe thunderstorm brought heavy winds, flooding and quarter-sized hail through the Chicago area Wednesday and early this morning.

A severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of Chicagoland was in effect until 3 a.m. as thunder, lightning and rainfall continued, according to the National Weather Service.

The most severe part of the storm moved over Chicago about 12:30 a.m., causing flooding on the city’s North Side. Over a foot and a half of floodwater, caused by rainfall, was reported near viaducts in the Ravenswood and Irving Park neighborhoods. The weather service warned motorists not to drive on flooded roadways, as minor flooding continued until 3 a.m.

On Wednesday, a severe thunderstorm warning moved through northern Cook County and southern Lake County before it expired at 8 p.m Wednesday.

The storm was expected to damage roofs, siding and trees with 60 mph wind gusts and residents were are advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building for safety.

In Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side, heavy wind downed trees and damaged an apartment building, which was evacuated, according to the Chicago Fire Department. The damage might have been the result of a microburst, an episode of heavy, downward wind.

Another storm is expected to hit the area Thursday evening. Heavy rain is expected to fall on Chicagoland through early Friday, with the most severe weather hitting the western suburbs, said the weather service.