Chicago Area Hit by Record Rainfall and Widespread Flooding

Heavy rainfall in the Chicago area led to widespread flooding, causing expressway closures, the reversal of the Chicago River's flow, and warnings for residents to limit water usage. Some areas received up to 8 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, surpassing rainfall totals for the past couple of months combined. Records were broken at O'Hare Airport, with more than 3.3 inches of rain, marking the highest daily rainfall total since May 2020. The heavy rain also impacted sports events, including the NASCAR Street Race and a Cubs game, which experienced delays.