National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Portions of Illinois and Northwest Indiana
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, effective until 1:00 PM CDT today. Excessive rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding across the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago IL issued the Flood Watch at 1:33 AM CDT on September 20. The watch covers several areas in Illinois, including Boone, Central Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Eastern Will, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Northern Cook, Northern Will, Ogle, Southern Cook, Southern Will, and Winnebago counties. In northwest Indiana, the watch affects Lake and Porter counties.
According to the NWS, periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through midday. Swaths of torrential rain with rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour or higher are likely within the watch area. This heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding and trigger rapid rises on local rivers, creeks, and streams.
Residents in the affected areas are advised that creeks and streams could rise out of their banks. Additional expected impacts include flooding in poor drainage and urban areas, flooded underpasses, flooded roads and streets, and potential basement flooding.