Tornado sirens blared early Tuesday afternoon in parts of the south suburbs as thunder sounded on Chicago’s South Side and weather officials issued a flood advisory until 3:15 p.m. The flood advisory was for portions of northeast Illinois in Cook and Will counties, according to the National Weather Service. Shortly after 12:15 p.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rainfall occurring with automated gauges showing rainfall rates as high as 2 to 3 inches per hour. Officials said the rain system was expected to move south of Chicago. More rain, from 1 to 4 inches, was expected in the area Tuesday afternoon and the additional rainfall was expected to cause minor flooding, officials said. The neighborhoods potentially affected include Chicago Lawn, Roseland, Englewood, South Lawndale, Bridgeport, South Shore, Austin, West Town and the Loop, according to the weather agency. Flooding could occur in roads and underpasses and near waterways and places with poor drainage, the weather agency said.
Tornado Warning Issued for Parts of Southern Cook County
The National Weather Service Tuesday afternoon briefly issued a tornado warning for Southern Cook County, saying a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Matteson and moving east at 10 miles per hour. “Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur,” a warning from the NWS said. “Tree damage is likely.” The “dangerous” storm was expected to be near Park Forest, Homewood, Matteson, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Richton Park, Flossmoor and Olympia Fields, the NWS said. The warning was set to expire at 12:45 p.m.
Flooding Across Southern Cook County
The storm brought heavy rain across southern Cook County, leading to flooding in some areas. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for southeastern Cook County and northeastern Will County until 3:45 p.m. High standing water was reported across expressways, including parts of the Kennedy near the Jane Byrne Interchange. The NWS also noted that Matteson, where the thunderstorm was originally located, received nearly 2.5 inches of rain in 30 minutes. The heavy rain was expected to continue through the early afternoon, but showers were expected to taper off later Tuesday afternoon, according to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman. Spotty areas of rain could remain and last overnight and into the early Wednesday morning hours. More lake effect showers were possible in Northwest Indiana later Wednesday morning, Roman said.
Chicago Weather Forecast
Temperatures Tuesday will remain in the mid 60s to low 70s, Roman said. Temperatures were expected to stay in the mid 70s through the rest of the week. There was a 100% chance of rain Tuesday afternoon, which was expected to drop to 30% by the nightfall, officials said. Current conditions at O’Hare and Midway airports include light rain and mist at 66 degrees.
The Storm's Aftermath
Following the expiration of the tornado warning, a flash flood warning was issued for southeastern Cook and Will Counties in Illinois until 3:45 p.m., according to the NWS. Some areas picked up over 2 inches of rain in about 30 minutes, ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Larry Mowry said. The warning, which was issued at 12:22 p.m., came as “very heavy rain” was moving through southern Cook County, the NWS said, including parts of Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Dolton, Oak Lawn, and the south side of Chicago.
“Flooding of low lying areas including on the sides of roads will occur,” the NWS said. “This includes portions of I-294, 57, 80, and 90.” The NWS also warned that flying debris could be dangerous to those caught without shelter, and mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed, with damage to roofs, windows and vehicles. Those in the path of the storm were urged to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. According to the NWS, the tornado warning expired at 12:45 p.m.
