Flood Watch

Locations Affected

Chicago, IL ∙ Aurora, IL ∙ Joliet, IL ∙ Rockford, IL ∙ Naperville, IL ∙ Elgin, IL ∙ Waukegan, IL ∙ Cicero, IL ∙ Bolingbrook, IL ∙ Gary, IN

Full Alert Message

Flood Watch National Weather Service Chicago IL 627 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM CDT /6 AM EDT/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Much of northern and central Illinois and extreme northwest Indiana. * WHEN...Until 5 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Ongoing river flooding may worsen. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Roads and streets may be flooded. Area creeks and streams are already elevated, increasing the risk of flooding due to additional rainfall. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A line of thunderstorms, some capable of producing rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour, will move across the area this evening into the early overnight hours. Despite the expected relatively fast storm movement, anomalously high atmospheric moisture content will support high rainfall rates. In many areas, soil moisture remains very high, including near the Illinois-Wisconsin border where nearly saturated soils exist due to recent heavy rainfall. While many areas may see lighter accumulations less than 0.5 inches, soils will be very sensitive to rainfall. Areas near and downstream of heavy rainfall, particularly urban areas and locations in far northern Illinois, may see flash flooding and river flooding impacts, some locally significant. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Flood Watch for flash flooding means rapid-onset flooding is possible, but not yet certain, based upon the latest forecasts. Flash flooding is a dangerous situation. Persons with interests along area rivers, creeks, and other waterways should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

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