CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago area is cleaning up after torrential rain led to flooding problems Sunday.
Along the lakefront, the city said swim bans are in effect at more than 20 beaches due to unsafe water quality from elevated levels of bacteria. Evanston has also closed its beaches Monday because of high bacteria levels.
Sunday’s flooding meant city officials had to reverse the flow of the river into Lake Michigan.
The sun and blue skies Monday morning were a welcome sight after gloomy weather that hung around the Chicago area for what seemed like forever.
“It’s so refreshing and I hope that it continues on and when it goes away we do feel a little sad,” Jonathan Monden said.
What a difference a day makes after Sunday’s torrential rain washed out holiday weekend festivities.
The Chicago Riverwalk flooded, As water levels receded Monday, leaving thick mud and debris on the pathway. Crews scrambling to clean up and get it re-opened.
Maggie Delvecchio walked her dog along near the riverfront, happy to see a new day.
“It’s very energizing,” Delvechio said. “It’s been a bit depressing especially over such and exciting weekend with 4th of July and NASCAR in town so this is kind of redeeming for the city of Chicago to show that we do get some good weather sometimes.”
As Chicagoans finally catch a break from days of hazy skies from drifting smoke due to Canadian wildfires and a day of severe storms….the gorgeous weather is drawing families to the lakefront.
But the Chicago Park District has put a swim ban into effect at all city beaches. Evanston and Wilmette has also issued swimming bans at their beaches.
Tony Carillo brought his whole family to North Avenue Beach.
“It’s crazy because we’re expecting to get into the water and have fun with the family, you know,” Carrillo said. “This is why we come to the beach to have fun and now we cannot i mean it’s crazy.”
Due to Sunday’s flooding, the opening of the locks and reversing the flow of the Chicago River into Lake Michigan resulted in a combined sewer overflow into the lake.
The park district says the swim ban will stay in place until tests are possible and the water quality meets EPA standards.
Alan Santo’s learned of the ban only after getting into the water with his daughter.
“For me, especially since I have a daughter, she loves going into the water, so it’s not good,” Santos said. “She’s three years old so she doesn’t understand.”
The park district says the swim conditions will be updated at around 1:30 p.m. based on water quality conditions.
Flooded viaducts continued to cause trouble overnight. On the West Side, in the 4600-block of West Roosevelt Road, cars were stranded after trying to make it through with several feet of water still in the roadway.
At one point Sunday at least seven vehicles and their passengers were trapped in a flooded viaduct near I-290 at 5th Avenue and Cicero Avenue.
Katera Fisher had to be towed after her SUV couldn’t make it through the rising water.
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“I went and my car just started floating, and I said, ‘Oh, snap.’ So, my first reaction was to try and get out of the car. I opened the door, and the water started flooding my feet,” Fisher said.
The Chicago River flooded over its banks, forcing the city to shut down the Riverwalk. The city even reversed the flow of the Chicago River, sending the water out to Lake Michigan to help reduce the flooding.
OEMC said from Sunday into Monday morning, they received 59 calls of flooded viaducts, 1,485 calls of water in basements and 396 calls of water on the street.
There was a Flash Flood Warning and Flood Advisory for Cook County until 6:30 p.m.
There was also a Flood Advisory for DuPage and Lake counties until 5:30 p.m.
DuPage and Will counties also had Flash Flood Warnings in effect until 1:15 p.m. Sunday.
Rainfall totals Sunday:
O’Hare: 3.35 inches
Midway 4.68 inches
Berwyn – 8.96 inches
Cicero – 8.60 inches
Garfield Park – 8/12 inches
Lincoln Park – 7.89 inches
Evanston – 7.09 inches
McKinley Park 6.62 inches
Wheeling- 1.96 inches
Waukegan -.67 inches
Valparaiso – .30 inches
Aurora – 1.54 inches
The mayor’s office released a statement reminding people to stay off the flooded roads and asking residents to be mindful of their water use.
“To assist with moving water into the wastewater system, please do not use extra water to shower, do laundry or dishes while experiencing storm conditions. As our climate changes and we see heavier rain events in compressed periods of time, it is difficult for our sewer system to move the water efficiently. While it may present a temporary inconvenience, it is better for water to pool on the street than in residents’ basements,” the statement said, in part.
