Rain Cancels Flights, Flood Warning Issued

CHICAGO -- Persistent rain has caused road closures, flooding and flight delays in the Chicago area, and forecasted showers are expected to cause more problems Saturday night and Sunday.

By sundown, radar indicated light to moderate rain across northern Illinois. The rain is expected to increase in coverage and intensity Saturday night and Sunday morning and could produce up to three more inches of rain by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service’s Web site.

Heavy rainfall is expected to shift south of Interstate 80 Saturday night. Areas north of I-80 will see a lull in rainfall Saturday night before heavy rainfall resumes early Sunday, particularly east of Interstate 55, the weather service said.

As a result, the weather service has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties that will remain in effect until 4:15 a.m. Monday. A flood watch is also in effect through Sunday night for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Reports indicate a large portion of the warned areas already received up to eight inches of rain and many creeks and streams are out of their banks and rivers are above flood stage, the weather service said.

The rain already has caused severe flooding in west suburban Arlington Heights, where a man apparently drowned in a Park District retention basin Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

In west suburban Franklin Park, waist-high water forced residents to evacuate their homes, authorities said. Firefighters rescued people and pets from houses, but no injuries were reported.

The heavy rain has also caused evacuations in the northwest suburbs. In Rolling Meadows, more about 40 families were evacuated from apartments flooded along Algonquin Road. Additionally, 13 flooded roadways were closed and crews began sandbagging the nearby Salt Creek, according to a release from Rolling Meadows.

South Elgin Village President Jim Hansen said all the village’s retention ponds filled up by Saturday morning and firefighters evacuated homes along Martin Drive south of Kane Street. Busy Spring Street was also closed for several blocks in the area.

The new rain -- remnants of Hurricane Ike -- could especially cause flooding of the Skokie River in Lake Forest, Buffalo Creek in Wheeling, Salt Creek in Rolling Meadows, Elmhurst and Western Springs, Weller Creek in Des Plaines, the North Branch of the Chicago River in Deerfield and the East Branch of the DuPage River in Bolingbrook, the weather service said.

In Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, the North Branch of the Chicago River has already flooded some areas with over three feet of water, according to the weather service. Chicago Police have received reports of severe flooding near West Foster and North Springfield avenues.

The rainfall could also cause flooding on highways, underpasses, county roads and farmlands along the banks of creeks, streams and other low lying areas, the weather service said.

Chicago’s Department of Streets & Sanitation have been assisting residents with flooding problems and ward superintendents are driving through their wards looking for weather-related problems, according to a Streets & Sanitation release.

The department’s Bureau of Forestry and Bureau of Electricity have responded to 37 tree emergencies, 29 traffic signal problems, 10 downed city wires and five damaged light poles, Streets & Sanitation said. Additionally, nine blocks have been reported to have all their street lights out.

Overall, the department described the non-flooding-related storm damage as “light.”

On the expressways, the rain caused the closure of all lanes on the Edens Expressway (I-94) near the Pratt Avenue exit Saturday morning, but all lanes were reopened Saturday afternoon, according to Illinois State Police District Chicago.

Additionally, Saturday’s heavy rainfall caused disruptions on the CTA Blue Line between the Rosemont and O’Hare stations and on the Yellow Line between the Howard and Skokie stations, according to the CTA’s Web site. Shuttle buses have been established, but customers should allow extra travel time.

In the air, the rain has caused low visibility at Chicago’s airports, leading to lengthy delays and numerous cancellations.

Chicago’s Department of Aviation is reporting more than 50 flights have been cancelled because of weather at O’Hare Airport, where delays are averaging 90 minutes.

At Midway Airport, delays are averaging about 45 minutes, but the only cancellations have been on flights bound for Houston, the department said.

Travelers passing through O’Hare and Midway airports Saturday night are advised to contact their airline to check the status of their flight and should allow extra travel time to the airport.

The rain is expected to stop Monday, when temperatures are predicted to reach 66 degrees, the weather service said.

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