Rain, Flooding Close Illinois State Fair
(CBS) -- Torrential rains in Springfield caused flooding at the Illinois State Fair and prompted its early closing Friday evening.
Fair visitors were forced to seek shelter in permanent structures, and significant rainfall led to flooded streets, buildings and barns on the fairgrounds.
About 50 campers and trailers in the Happy Hollow campgrounds were partly submerged. Fire officials were anticipating water rescues in that section of the state fairgrounds, the Springfield State-Journal reported.
A concerts at the grandstand featuring Pat Benatar and Melissa Etheridge was canceled.
"The safety of our fairgoers is always our top concern," state fair manager Kevin Gordon said in a prepared statement.
The National Weather Service in nearby Lincoln says more than 5 inches of rain fell in the Springfield area.
Some fair goers might need an Uber tonight. This picture taken in Happy Hallow by @CadeBeckett. pic.twitter.com/O6ClGSlzPF
— Derek Parris (@DerekParris) August 13, 2016