Portions of west-central Chicago experienced localized flash flooding on July 8. Find out how to stay safe in flooded areas.

A Chicago flash flood warning went out Tuesday night as the city experienced some of its heaviest rain since 2023. More than 4 inches fell in less than 90 minutes on the West Side.

The possible hazards include damaging winds, large hail, an isolated tornado, and torrential downpours. Dew points and moisture levels are high, meaning storms could quickly drop 1–2 inches of rain, leading to a flash flooding threat in some areas.

The Chicago area has felt less of an impact from the Trump administration’s National Weather Service cuts than offices in the Quad Cities and downstate Lincoln.

The quick-falling rain led some parts of Chicago and Cook County to get upwards of five inches of rain in less than three hours.

Rain came down fast and hard Wednesday night in Chicago, creating some hazardous situations not only for drivers, but for first responders who were busy rescuing people who were stuck in high waters. Whether it's a flood on the road or rushing water, some Chicago area firefighters said their training is everything.

Clean-up efforts continue after heavy rain fell on Chicago’s West Side during a short amount of time Tuesday night, leaving some drivers flooded out in underpasses and several

In parts of Chicago, flash flood alerts rang Tuesday, warning of dangerous conditions as cars were stranded and submerged on highways and water rescues were conducted, but how much rain actually fell across the region and how fast did it all happen?

Chicago flash flooding caused sudden road washouts, and water rescues had to be made at more than one location on the West Side.

The flood watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Friday for Cook County, the collar counties and the majority of northern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.

A sprawling area of storms dropping heavy rain along the Gulf Coast Thursday could produce significant flash flooding into the weekend and still has a small chance to become the Atlantic hurricane season's next tropical system.