Flood Watch Hits Chicago Area as Heavy Rain Threatens Streets

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that starts this evening and runs into Friday morning for a swath of the Chicago metro area. While the far‑south counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch, the city‑adjacent neighborhoods are bracing for relentless rain.

Officials warn that rain could pour at a rate of more than two inches an hour in localized pockets. Some places have already logged between two and four inches over the past few days, raising concerns about overflowing creeks and soggy streets.

Counties now under the flood watch include DeKalb, Will, Ford, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Iroquois and Ogle. The heaviest precipitation is expected south of an imaginary line that runs from Forreston, Illinois, to Valparaiso, Indiana.

Looking ahead, the NWS says the stormy pattern will linger through the weekend. Friday’s high should hit the mid‑80s, Saturday nudges up to 89 °F, and Sunday stays near 88 °F. Below is a quick rundown of the expected conditions for the Joliet area, which mirrors much of the greater Chicago forecast:

• Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms possible after 4 p.m.; temps dip to the mid‑70s. Chance of rain about 60 %.
• Thursday night: Likely showers, maybe a thunderstorm; low near 68 °F. Rain chance rises to 80 %.
• Friday: Thunderstorms before 5 p.m., then a chance of showers; high around 80 °F. Expect a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain, more if storms intensify.
• Saturday: Showers and possible thunderstorms before 1 p.m., then a slight chance afterward; high near 84 °F.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers early, then thunderstorms possible after 1 p.m.; high near 84 °F.

Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local alerts, avoid low‑lying roads that could flood, and keep an eye on any updates from the NWS or local emergency services.