Heavy rain causes minor flooding throughout Chicago area

A flood watch remains in effect until late Tuesday night for the entire Chicago metro area as rain and possible thunderstorms move through the area, the National Weather Service is warning.

The Chicago area had seen an inch or two of rainfall by Tuesday morning, according to the weather service. More showers and thunderstorms were expected to drop another inch through the evening, with some areas seeing up to three more inches.

The rainfall, combined with melting snow and rapid runoff due to frozen ground, could flood low-lying areas and cause water levels to rise in rivers and ponds, the weather service said.

Minor flooding and standing water were reported on roads throughout the Chicago area, according to NWS meteorologist Stephen Rodriguez.

The left shoulder and left lane of the inbound Eisenhower Expressway were closed about noon near Cicero because of flooding caused by a collapsed sewer inside the CTA Blue Line, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Cook County Department of Transportation reported that some roads in the south suburbs were closed because of flooding Tuesday morning, including Sauk Trail between Western and Ashland avenues in Bloom Township; 108th Avenue between 159th and 161st streets in Orland Park; 135th Street between Southwest Highway and LaGrange Road in Orland Park; Midlothian Turnpike between Cicero and Laramie avenues in Crestwood; Kedzie Avenue between 135th and 139th streets in Robbins; Will-Cook Road between 151st and 159th streets in Orland Park; 179th Street between Southwest Highway and Marley Creek Boulevard in Orland Park; and Vollmer Road just west of Western in Flossmoor.

Street flooding was also reported in Riverside, according to a statement from the city.

Here’s a map of the known closures:

The DuPage River was at a minor flood stage in Bolingbrook and could reach moderate flood levels by Wednesday morning, the weather service said. Minor flooding was also reported on the Fox River near Montgomery and at Thorn Creek in Thornton.

The Des Plaines River was near flood stage near Des Plaines and was expected to reach minor flood levels by Wednesday, the weather service said.

DuPage County Stormwater Management began operating its major flood control facilities in Elmhurst, Naperville, Bloomingdale and Carol Stream early Tuesday, the agency said in a statement.

A high of 63 degrees is forecast for Tuesday, but temperatures will plummet by nighttime, bringing possible freezing rain or sleet after 2 a.m. early Wednesday morning, the weather service said.

Residents of flood-prone areas were warned to take precautions and check back for forecast updates. The flood watch officially ends at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.