Chicago flooding: A state of emergency has been declared for Illinois on Thursday afternoon amid heavy rains and flooding, particularly in the greater Chicago area.
“We are in a state of emergency in our state,” said Gov. Pat Quinn, reported CBS Chicago.
Quinn said that rivers across Illinois had reached record flood levels and called on residents to be cautious. “You have to respect nature,” he said. “We will get through this.”
“I urge everyone to stay alert and avoid flooded areas,” Quinn added in a statement obtained by the Chicago Tribune. “Residents should tune in to local TV and radio stations for updated information about any closed routes or evacuations.”
Chicago officials are reportedly eyeing the rising river levels and are looking into drainage problems, which have caused concern for floods.
“There are all kinds of things going on, lots of flooded basements, flooded streets and viaducts,” said Chicago Fire Department Chief Kevin MacGregor, reported Reuters.
In the past day, between three and seven inches of rain fell in the greater Chicago area.
The Edens, Eisenhower, and Kennedy expressways have all been closed amid flooding, according to CBS. The Bishop Ford was also experiencing heavy delays with several lanes closed.
Earlier in the day, a sinkhole swallowed three cars in Chicago and injured a man after a water main broke. Officials believed the breakage was triggered by floods.
Weather.com reported that the same storm system that drenched Chicago will continue east and will land on the East Coast, bringing with it severe weather.
