The entire Eisenhower Expressway is closed due to flooding; more storms today; storm reports

Breaking News: Dam south of Lake Delhi in Iowa has failed due to high waters. The Blue and Red lines have been suspended due to flooded tracks (Chicago Transit). The entire Eisenhower Expressway is closed due to overnight's heavy rain. The southbound 83rd Street exit on the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) is not passable because of flooding, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Kauffman. Westchester Village Manager Stan Urban has declared a State of Emergency for the village due to flooding. A nursing home was evacuated in Westchester, IL. Since Friday evening, Chicago O'Hare has picked up over 6" of rain. Midway has picked up over 8". A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin through Saturday afternoon (4pm CDT). Flash Flood Warnings are also in effect for the metropolitan area. The National Weather Service on Friday confirmed an EF-2 tornado in Waukesha County, WI with max winds between 115 and 120 mph. Several homes damaged from a tornado in Indianola, IA Friday night. 5 to 7 basements collapsed on a block on Milwaukee's north side following a night of pounding rain and flooding. Milwaukee Int'l recorded its 2nd highest 24hr rainfall total for any date with 5.58" on Thursday. The record: 6.81" (Aug. 6, 1986). The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Milwaukee, WI after widespread flooding from Thursday caused extensive damage. Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall around 10am CDT in Miami-Dade County, FL with estimated winds of 40 mph. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for northwestern Bahamas, Florida's east coast from Deerfield Beach to Key West and along the western coast of Florida northward to Englewood, and Destin Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the east coast of Florida from north of Deerfield to Jupiter Inlet. A State of Emergency has been declared for Louisiana in preparation for Bonnie. U.S. government official ordered ships to evacuate Gulf oil spill site ahead of Tropical Storm Bonnie. A Heat Advisory is in effect today for the southern portions of Chicago. There is a slight risk for severe weather today across the central Plains to the Great Lakes to the Northeastern states. Severe Weather Reports: At least one dead and 16 injured due to lightning in Grand Teton National Park, WY. Two inches of rain fell in 20 minutes in Jamestown, MI on Thursday. 2 people were struck by lightning near 25th Street and National Avenue. Taken to hospital. Cars stalled out near Madison, WI. Many locations in southern Wisconsin reporting 3+inches per hour.

Cars halfway submerged under water under a viaduct at West Fulton and North Talman Avenue. Photo: Robert Kozloff

Overnight storms left many people and vehicles stranded on roadways as thunderstorms hit north central and northeast Illinois with torrential downpours, intense lightning, and winds 50-60 mph.

Heavy rain and flooding forced the closure of the Eisenhower Expressway between Manheim Road and 25th Avenue this morning. Standing water was reported in both directions at Western Avenue slowing traffic.

I-290 is also not passable between Austin Street and Mannheim Road.

The North Avenue exit is closed due to flooding.

The southbound 83rd Street exit on the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) is not passable because of flooding, according to Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Kauffman.

The 25th Avenue exit is closed on Illinois Route 64, Kauffman said.

The Ogden exit will be closed southbound on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94), Kauffman said. Motorists are asked to avoid the exit.

Route 47 is closed in northwest suburban Huntley due to flooding, Kauffman said. Several roads within the area are also closed.

Heavy rains this morning caused the CTA's Pink and Blue Line trains to temporarily run reduced schedules because of potential flooding on the tracks.

A nursing home was evacuated in Westchester, IL.

Since Friday evening, Chicago O'Hare has picked up over 6" of rain. Midway has picked up over 8".

A Flood Warning is in effect for the area. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Chicago area until 4pm CDT.

Storm reports from overnight 7/23/10-7/24/10:

- Belvidere, IL: 3.38" of rain since 11pm

- Ogle County, IL: 2.93" of rain overnight

- Elk Grove Village: 6.98" since 10:30pm

- Des Plaines, IL: 5.19" of rain