Flooding blocks streets, stalls cars in south suburbs and on Chicago's South Side
Heavy downpours caused flooding in the south suburbs and the South Side of Chicago Wednesday, stranding some drivers who stalled out on the washed-out roads.
Storms moved into the Chicago area overnight and continued well into the afternoon Wednesday, bringing rounds of heavy downpours, thunder and lightning in waves throughout the area. Tornado warnings were issued in parts of downstate Illinois and Northwest Indiana.
In Dolton, cars had to carefully navigate flooded roads, or risk becoming stuck in the high waters. Driver after driver tried treating through the high floodwaters, and many failed.
"They don't' realize how deep it is," said Dolton Fire Lt. Ian Cosgrove. "If you see the cones and barricades, don't go around them, because you're going to get stuck. Your car is going to flood out."
Such was the case for the driver of a red minivan who was seen on camera. Despite seeing one vehicle already stalled on 144th Street near Indiana Avenue, the driver kept going and the minivan got stuck.
Dolton firefighters were forced to suit up. Dolton firefighter Ken Savage was wearing a bright orange insulated suit for the occasion.
"This right here is a floatation suit," Savage said. "So whenever I got to go in the water, it keeps me buoyant. It keeps me floating upright."
The firefighters had to tread water to get to the minivan driver — who was stuck for an hour. Cosgrove said that was not the department's first rescue of the day, but the second.
Dee Raines also got caught in the downpour — and her Roadster stalled before streets were blocked.
"See, I didn't know. There's no barrier there," Raines said, "so I got stuck."
Raines too need the help of the Dolton Fire Department. The water was so high that a firefighter had to carry her out on his shoulder.
"Very frightening — especially when he was carrying me on his shoulders, I was afraid he might slip. But he got me safely," she said. "Then I couldn't get across the street, and you know, my car was there and I couldn't see the bottom of it, and the tow truck couldn't get to me because the water was so high."
With nightfall, many streets were still blocked. Tow Trucks were busy and couldn't get to many vehicles until the water receded.
Those in need of a tow had a clear warning to anyone thinking of taking the chance.
"Unless you feel very adventurous and want to do the backstroke out here, don't do it," said Raines.
People in south suburban Robbins faced similarly treacherous commutes. Drivers were urged not to try to drive through standing water, even if it looks shallow, and to find alternate routes lest they stall out when the flooding is deeper than it looks.
There was also flooding on the South Side of Chicago. At 119th Street and Vincennes Avenue near eastbound I-57, the four-lane road was reduced by standing water to two lanes, leaving drivers slowly crawling towards the highway entrance ramps.
Another round of storms is expected in the afternoon and evening, especially in the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, where a tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
