National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Illinois and Northwest Indiana
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Flood Watch for portions of Illinois and northwest Indiana, in effect until 7:00 AM CDT on Sunday, September 20. Excessive rainfall from expected overnight showers and thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding.
The Flood Watch, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago on September 19 at 8:23 PM CDT, covers multiple counties in the region. Affected areas in Illinois include Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Northern Cook, Central Cook, Southern Cook, and Northern Will. In northwest Indiana, the watch covers Lake and Porter counties.
Forecasters expect another round of showers and thunderstorms late this evening and overnight. These storms are likely to produce swaths of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with rates of two or more inches per hour within the watch area. This intense rainfall may cause rapid rises on local rivers, creeks, and streams, potentially triggering flash flooding.
Anticipated impacts include creeks and streams rising out of their banks, as well as flooding in poor drainage and urban areas. Underpasses, roads, and streets may also become flooded, creating hazardous travel conditions.