Some flooding in Chicago area

7-24-10 | mlizzy

[mlizzy]

ELMHURST, IL -- Considerable rainfall last night (and into the morning) flooded our street for the first time in twenty years. While our dogs found their 6:00 a.m. walk lots of fun, the man (and his two daughters) whose car was sitting stalled in the middle of the flooded street, wasn't so thusly amused. A few neighbors pitched in their brawn, pushed out the car to a neighbor's driveway, while a friend was called to rescue the dampened trio.

My husband and I continued walking on to Mass, passing by the park (which doesn't usually have a water effect).

The water in our street has now subsided, but traffic is still crawling (there must be a light out somewhere) on the four-lane highway outside of our home, and a few of our neighbors do not look so happy, as they pump out water from their yards, garages, and basements.

[ASOC]

Thank you for posting the fotos and putting a personal touch on ‘just another wire story’.

Chicago seems like the moon feom here - Alaska.

[mlizzy]

Chicago seems like the moon feom here - Alaska.

Thanks! I have a good chat-friend from Malta who says the same thing, regarding our distance.:)

[Petruchio]

Doppler Radar showed about 8” in Hillside area. Adding yesterday’s and today’s readings from Weatherbug showed 7.75”.

On the ground here, the viaduct on Wolf Rd. is flooded, errr more like overflowed. For the first time in over 50 years that I know of, the park next to that viaduct and the community pool is also flooded. (about a foot deep) All back yards are also flooded. I stayed up thru the night to monitor the basement. I had some sewer backup but it was minor, so I was able to get a nap this morning.

Park & Pool at the corner

view of viaduct from my front yard

Looking North from my front yard. That direction the water was only about 7" or 8" deep

[Lurker]

We're just a bit west of you in Carol Stream and we're seeing a lot of the same. The DuPage River is very nearly up to the bottom of the foot bridges at West Branch Forest.

The retention ponds have turned into lakes.

If we get more tonight tomorrow will be ugly along Salt Creek and the DuPage.

[Petruchio]

This reminded me of Aug. ‘87. I lost my house in Elmhurst in that flood.

[Seven plus One]

That was one weird 8 hour conveyor belt of rain there. 6:00 was right before the last wave. I thought that I could beat it and get to work without hydroplaning all over the place, but no dice. Turned around, went back home (West Chicago), dang near hit by lightning. The West Branch was just about flush with Geneva Rd. Pretty wild.

[sausageseller]

Il 38 was closed at West Chicago this am. High water at an RR overpass.

[mlizzy]

Amazing! Thank you very much for the photos. I went back to Wilder Park in Elmhurst to see if the water had gone down yet (at around 1:00 p.m.), and it pretty much looked the same as in the morning. Here's a few pictures. The man pumping out the gazebo floor is most probably doing so in an attempt to ready it for a wedding party. They frequently have pictures taken there.

On my way home, I noticed North Avenue was still bumper to bumper (heading into the city), and I was thinking I'd ask you about that (as to if you had any information), when SCREECH, BANG, right when I pulled into my parking spot there was a big crash off to the right of me on North Avenue. A woman uninvolved in the crash pulled over her car and bolted for the wreckage. She helped the lady out of the vehicle in the accident (pictured) walking her to our front lawn where we readied some chairs and water for her.

I couldn't help but notice the people gathering around were dressed up for something special, maybe even a wedding. Then I thought back to the flooded gazebo floor and hoped they weren't planning on pictures over there. Sopping wet pink pumps (plus a major accident) is too much for one day. Thanks again for the photos. A picture's worth a thousand words.

[mlizzy]

This reminded me of Aug. ‘87. I lost my house in Elmhurst in that flood.

We were in Elmhurst as well in '87, and we even took some photos of the flooding of the viaduct there. I probably have them filed away somewhere, but I'm sure you remember, the water was almost completely up to the bridge. I'm sorry you lost your house.

[mlizzy]

The grandson of the woman involved in the crash, just came to our door returning our chairs and cooler. A very nice young man, he said his grandma is fine. I told him he was from very sturdy stock and he could look forward to that in the future.

[Petruchio]

Yeah, I had an older home on the corner of 3rd & 83. Water was 6’ deep in the living room, garage was completely under.

[mlizzy]

Oh, I remember that well. Such a hard hit area. We had thought for a while of trying to get a place in your neighborhood back then. We were renting then (and renting still).

[Petruchio]

I just took a look outside here. The roadway has dried off, and the park is down to puddles. (and contaminated Pool) The viaduct has gone down but still is about 6’ deep. By tomorrow it should be passable again.

[csmusaret]

Well at least POTUS knows where the Chicago area is (unlike Nashville).

[mlizzy]

I wonder if the policemen have been busy with flood-related business (6’ is still plenty high by you), because the folks involved in the accident outside our house were here for over an hour and a half. It seemed to take forever for the cops to come. They are usually here (this is a “popular” corner for accidents!) in less than five minutes.

[mlizzy]

Well at least POTUS knows where the Chicago area is (unlike Nashville).

Yes, POTUS should know his way here unless he's forgotten. Fortunately, we're not as bad off as Nashville, not that it would make any difference to BO if we were.

[mlizzy]

How are things out by you now in West Chicago? The lightning thing was scary I bet. It looks like we’re in for more rain; hopefully we’ll not get too much ...

[mlizzy]

Il 38 was closed at West Chicago this am. High water at an RR overpass.

Sounds like West Chicago certainly got their share of rain. North Avenue heading into the city is STILL bumper to bumper. Been like that all day long.

[Melian]

Wonderful photos! You suddenly have a bunch of new lakes! Hope you all are not too impacted by all that water.