Heavy rains in Chicago caused widespread flooding and led to the closure of expressways, the reversal of the Chicago River’s flow, and warnings for residents to limit water usage. The heavy rainfall also had an impact on the sports world, with delays in the NASCAR Street Race and Sunday’s Cubs game.
Videos circulating on social media showed the extent of the flooding, with one video capturing a person paddling a kayak down a flooded street in Cicero. Some areas in the region received up to 8 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours, surpassing the total rainfall for the past couple of months combined.
Records were broken at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, which received more than 3.3 inches of rain. This surpassed the previous highest total recorded for July 2, which was 2.06 inches set in 1982. It also marked the highest daily rainfall total observed at the airport since May 2020.
Here is a breakdown of rainfall totals from various locations across the region:
– 1 NNE Berwyn: 8.96 inches
– 1 N Cicero: 8.60 inches
– 2 E Garfield Park – Chicago: 8.12 inches
– 1 WNW Lincoln Park – Chicago: 7.89 inches
– Forest View: 7.47 inches
– Lincoln Park – Chicago: 7.36 inches
– Evanston: 7.09 inches
– Chicago – McKinley Park: 6.62 inches
– 1 N Midway Airport: 6.34 inches
– Oak Park: 6.04 inches
– Riverside – Des Plaines R.: 6.04 inches
– 2 NNW Bridgeport – Chicago: 5.90 inches
– 1 WSW North Park – Chicago: 5.55 inches
– 2 SW Lincoln Park – Chicago: 5.02 inches
– 1 NE La Grange Park: 4.99 inches
– Chicago – Midway Airport: 4.68 inches
– La Grange: 4.68 inches
– 1 ESE South Chicago: 4.62 inches
– Northerly Island: 4.53 inches
– La Grange: 4.50 inches
– 1 N Norridge: 4.12 inches
– 1 ESE Evanston: 4.07 inches
– Wilmette: 4.06 inches
– Chicago: 3.70 inches
– Hickory Hills: 3.68 inches
– Burr Ridge: 3.64 inches
– Algonquin: 3.58 inches
– Plainfield: 3.51 inches
– 1 WNW Logan Square: 3.45 inches
– Harwood Heights: 3.36 inches
– Chicago – O’Hare Airport: 3.35 inches
– Chicago – Lincoln Park: 3.35 inches
– Bridgeport – Chicago: 3.29 inches
– Glenview: 3.28 inches
– Kaneville 3 NNW: 3.10 inches
– Harwood Heights: 3.01 inches
– 1 SE Algonquin: 2.94 inches
– Rosemont: 2.88 inches
– Franklin Park 0.5 SSE: 2.86 inches
– Lisle: 2.83 inches
– South Holland – Little Calum: 2.81 inches
– 4 S Hainesville: 2.78 inches
– Wheaton: 2.70 inches
– Glenwood: 2.64 inches
– NIU AGRONOMY SHABONNA 5 NNE: 2.61 inches
– Bensenville: 2.60 inches
– Deerfield: 2.57 inches
– Chicago – Rogers Park: 2.54 inches
– Homer Glen: 2.53 inches
– Marseilles 2 WSW: 2.52 inches
– 1 WSW Bloomingdale: 2.50 inches
– Algonquin 2.1 W: 2.50 inches
– Rolling Meadows: 2.48 inches
– Hoffman Estates: 2.41 inches
– Deerfield – N. Br. Chicago R: 2.40 inches
– Munster – Little Calumet R.: 2.40 inches
– Deerfield – W. Fork N. Br. C: 2.37 inches
– Munster: 2.34 inches
– Ottawa – Buffalo Rock SP: 2.33 inches
– Harvey: 2.28 inches
– 2 S Glen Ellyn: 2.27 inches
– 2 WNW Mundelein: 2.23 inches
– Lake Forest: 2.17 inches
– 1 N Hammond: 2.16 inches
– Oak Forest 1 NNW: 2.16 inches
– 1 W Des Plaines: 2.11 inches
– Phoenix: 2.08 inches
– Hazel Crest: 2.07 inches
– Hebron: 2.04 inches
– Chicago – Albany Park: 2.02 inches
The heavy rainfall and resulting floods caused significant disruptions in the city, affecting transportation and sporting events. The city’s residents were urged to limit their water usage due to the strain on the water infrastructure.
How did the heavy rains in Chicago affect transportation and sports events?
Ange Park: 4.51 inches
The heavy rains caused significant disruptions across Chicago. Expressways were closed due to flooding, making travel challenging for commuters. Additionally, the Chicago River’s flow was reversed, an extraordinary event that highlights the magnitude of the rainfall.
Authorities advised residents to limit water usage as a precautionary measure. The excessive rainfall strained the city’s drainage systems, and conserving water became necessary to prevent further complications.
The sports world also felt the impact of the heavy rain. The NASCAR Street Race experienced delays, causing frustration among fans and participants. The adverse weather conditions also disrupted the Sunday Cubs game, further adding to the challenges faced by the city.
Social media was flooded with videos showcasing the extent of the flooding. One video, in particular, caught the attention of many, showing an individual paddling a kayak down a flooded street in Cicero. These visuals emphasize the severity of the situation and the incredible amount of rain that fell.
The rainfall totals set new records at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. With 3.3 inches of rain received, it broke the previous highest total for July 2, which stood at 2.06 inches since 1982. Moreover, this marked the highest daily rainfall recorded at the airport since May 2020, further illustrating the extraordinary nature of the precipitation.
In various locations throughout the region, rainfall totals ranged from 4.51 inches in La Grange Park to 8.96 inches in Berwyn. Some areas received more rainfall in less than 24 hours than they had in the past couple of months combined. These staggering figures demonstrate the intensity and duration of the heavy downpour.
The heavy rains in Chicago not only caused flooding and closures but also had significant implications for various aspects of daily life. The effects were felt in transportation, sports events, and even water usage. With the remarkable amount of rainfall recorded, it is essential for residents and authorities to assess and address the challenges posed by such weather conditions.
These dramatic floods in Chicago are a stark reminder of the devastating impact climate change can have on our cities. The chaos and record rainfall serve as a wake-up call for urgent action to mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by extreme weather events.
Wow, the floods in Chicago are truly devastating. The record rainfall and chaos they’ve caused highlight the urgent need for better infrastructure and preparedness. Stay safe, everyone.