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By Joe Edwards
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More than a month's worth of rain fell on Chicago in 90 minutes on Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
"There were numerous reports of flooded viaducts, several reports of water rescues, and a few reports of flooded basements," the NWS said.
A flash flood warning was issued until 12.45 a.m. on Wednesday for Chicago and Cicero.
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Why It Matters
The extreme rainfall in Chicago follows deadly floods in Texas' Hill Country last week that have led to the deaths of more than 100 people.
In New Mexico, flash floods also killed at least three people on Tuesday, including two children in the resort village of Ruidoso, according to Reuters.
What To Know
According to the NWS forecast office in Chicago, more than five inches of rain fell within the space of 90 minutes west of the United Center on Tuesday evening.
This exceeds the largest average amount of monthly precipitation that the city receives—around 4.5 inches—according to data from the Illinois State Climatologist.
Chicago's West Side, including Homan Square, Douglass Park, and Tri-Taylor, faced especially challenging conditions, according to CBS Chicago.
It added that a total of 6.6 inches of rain fell on Douglass Park, while emergency crews conducted rescues at Western and Ogden avenues and Ashland Avenue and Kinzie Street.
What People Are Saying
The NWS forecast office in Chicago wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: "A personal weather station has measured 5.06 inches of rain just west of the United Center in 1 hour and 30 minutes! There are reports of water rescues taking place across the warned area! The heaviest rain continues across Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, and Austin."
An NWS Chicago spokesperson told Newsweek: "There is a chance for isolated to widely scattered showers and perhaps a storm this afternoon, but coverage looks fairly low. Even with the low coverage, if a storm develops, isolated amounts of a half inch to locally near an inch would be possible."
Meteorologist Emily Wahls wrote on X, Tuesday: "FLASH FLOODING ONGOING IN CHICAGO. There are now reports of water rescues going on at Western and Ogden, and Fulton and Maple. We're also getting reports of flooded viaducts. This is becoming a dangerous situation."
Weather analyst Colin McCarthy wrote on X, Tuesday:"The major floods won't stop in the United States.
"It has rained 5 inches in the last 90 minutes in west Chicago with water rescues ongoing near United Center."
What Happens Next
The flash flood warning has now expired in Chicago and Cicero. Regular forecast updates are issued by the NWS on its website.
Update, 7/9/25, 12:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from NWS Chicago.
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