WGN Weather in Chicago Warns of Severe Thunderstorm and Floods

by Amy Judd | June 19, 2009 at 10:08 am

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WGN weather in Chicago warns residents today of a severe thunderstorm in the area, with massive flooding and the potential of a flash flood for Boone County, northeast DeKalb, northern Ogle, Winnebago County, northern Kane County and McHenry County.

At 11:05 a.m., National Weather Service radar indicated a severe thunderstorm 6 miles southwest of Marengo and moving east at 50 m.p.h.

That storm is cable of producing quarter-size hail and destructive winds in excess of 70 m.p.h. The weather service called the storm "dangerous" and advised people to seek shelter inside a sturdy building and to stay away from windows.

A tornado has also been spotted on the radar.

Early this morning, severe thunderstorms caused flooding in northern Illinois, and the rain is estimated to be falling at one inch per hour.
The rain is expected to continue.

Due to the weather, flights in and out of O'Hare International Airport were being canceled and delayed. Some flights were only delayed for about 15 to 30 minutes.

About 5,800 people are without power, trees have blocked roads, traffic lights are out and in some areas, wires are down on the roads.

In Chicago, flooding closed off Irving Park Road under Lake Shore Drive and two lanes of Lake Shore Drive itself near North Avenue, according to traffic.com.

In Winnetka, Sheridan Road north of Tower Road was closed in both directions due to flooding, said Officer Ted Moran.