Flooding From Overnight Storms Wrecked Homes, And More Could Hit Tonight (Video)
By Kate Shepherd in News on Aug 18, 2015 4:15PM
Storms with heavy rain and winds rolled through the Chicago area overnight flooding some streets and viaducts and downing trees and power lines. A flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Monday night expired early Tuesday, but more storms are expected late Tuesday.
The local storm damage, shared on social media by local officials and residents, looks pretty significant in some parts of the city and the suburbs. Parts of eastern Will and Kankakee Counties received up to four inches of rain, and portions of the Chicago area were under an urban and small stream flood advisory until Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
The flooding forced the CTA to suspend Pink Line service between the Pulaski and 54th/Cermak stops from approximately 12:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.
At the intersection of 14th Street and Western Avenue, the flooding was so severe that semi-trailer trucks were not able to go through for a time, according to CBS Chicago. And nearly all lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway had to be shut down due to standing water but all were opened ahead of the Tuesday morning rush.
Some power outages were also reported in and around Chicago due to the weather. In Arlington Heights more than 2,000 customers lost power Monday night and at least 16 trees fell during a burst of 55 mph winds, according to the Tribune. Power lines were also downed. Arlington Heights resident Tommy Bucchianeri told CBS Chicago that he likely will need a new roof, gutters and patio set because of the storm damage on his property.
More storms could hit Chicago Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday with the possibility of severe weather late Tuesday.