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.

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.

Severe thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon and evening across Chicagoland, accompanied by a risk for damaging wind gusts, hail and some tornadoes.

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.

In the early hours of July 4, the only sound many of the vacationers along the banks of the Guadalupe River would have heard was pounding rain and thunder. They didn’t get any official warning of the rapidly rising waters that ultimately proved deadly to dozens of people swept away in Central Texas flash floods.

As the search in Texas continued for more than 160 people believed to be missing, the full extent of the catastrophe had yet to be revealed.

The first severe thunderstorm warnings were issued northwest of Chicago, with a warning in place for southwestern McHenry County until 6:45 p.m. A storm was first located along a line from Poplar Grove Lake to Cherry Valley, moving east at 25 mph. Fifty-cent piece-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts were associated with the storm.

The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort, with many left wondering why authorities did not warn summer camps dotted along the river of the incoming danger,