Overnight storms brought a Flood Warning through Sunday evening, flooded roads across the Chicago suburbs, knocked out power for tens of thousands, and led to the postponement or cancellation of multiple Fourth of July events. A woman died after a tree fell on
Overnight storms turned Chicago-area streets into hazards fast enough to trap drivers mid-route—and by Saturday morning, the damage had spread from flooded roadways to a widespread power outage.
A Flood Warning was in effect for many counties in the Chicago area through Sunday evening, until 9:30 p.m. The Bishop Ford Freeway was closed in both directions on the South Side for most of the day Saturday due to flooding. with Illinois State Police reporting the closure from Sibley to 130th. Chopper 7 was over the scene, where cars were visible stuck in floodwaters along the freeway.
Flooding was also reported in Bartlett and other suburbs. The storms delayed the Cubs–Cardinals game at Wrigley Field, postponing it to start at 8:05 p.m. Saturday.
The danger became real for one family in Kendall County. A woman and her two dogs died after a tree fell on a camper trailer, officials said. The 47-year-old woman was pronounced dead on the scene around 3:20 p.m. in the 8500 block of Millbrook Road in Fox Township, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. Her name was not released. The Little Rock Fire Protection District said the woman’s two dogs also died, and she was from New Lenox. No other injuries were reported.
In the suburbs, floodwater didn’t just soak streets—it left vehicles stranded and forced people to improvise rescues as water rose and roads disappeared.
In Naperville, a parking lot became a makeshift pond after the storms. Much of the floodwater had receded by the time conditions were improving. but the aftermath left drivers dealing with vehicles stuck in high water. In Elgin, flooded streets left multiple cars trapped as some drivers tried to push through standing water. Residents and bystanders stepped in to help.
“That’s fantastic to see,” one woman said as people helped push a stranded vehicle.
Elgin resident Tammy Erekfritz described a rescue near her home. “The next thing I know, we’ve got the fire department, a car stuck down there at the corner,” Erekfritz said. “A man came out of the house, and he opened that car door and pulled that woman out.”
Similar conditions played out in Bartlett. where floodwater reached nearly as high as one man’s knees and vehicles stalled after the storm. “It’s very bad rain and a lot of flooding. It’s never been this bad, I’ve been here 32 years, and it’s never been this bad,” Bartlett resident Todd Novello said.
In Kane County, rising water from Welch Creek covered roads. In Downers Grove. an SUV became stuck in a ditch. and a shattered rear window appeared to show a successful rescue. Among those stranded was Naperville motorist Amith Shenoy, whose SUV broke down after he attempted to drive through floodwater. “It was kind of scary because it was pouring a lot. and the water was almost up to the height of the tire. ” Shenoy said.
Shenoy said the experience taught him the lesson leaders kept repeating: don’t drive through floodwater. “Don’t ignore the warning. That’s what I did. The warning came on my phone, and I thought I am just going to pass by quickly, but it just picks up so fast that you don’t have time,” he said.
That message echoed across city and suburban areas as authorities warned that drivers should not attempt to pass through floodwater and should turn around and find alternate routes.
The storms hit the south suburbs particularly hard overnight. They created dangerous conditions, caused flooding, and left drivers stranded. Power was also knocked out for tens of thousands. As of 4:51 a.m., ComEd said 58,452 customers were without power.
In Dolton, the basements of some homes were possibly flooded. In Harvey, several motorists had to be rescued after their cars got stuck in high standing water.
During the day, drivers described what it felt like to get caught in water that didn’t slow down. Renee said, “When I say the water is deep, the water is pretty much up to my knees. My car got stuck where this car is now, so I had to hop out. Called the ambulance. The ambulance said. ‘Stay on top of the car.’ So. I sat on top of the car for like 30 minutes to 40.”.
Carlos Nunez said he drove into a flooded area without realizing how far the water had risen. “I was driving through the rain, it was crazy. Crazy weather out here tonight. It was downpouring,” Nunez said. “I really didn’t see. but I drove into an area that was flooded and my car got. my engine had turned off on its own. and I got stuck in the middle of the floods. and I had to push it back out.”.
Harvey Deputy Fire Chief Henry Boyd said crews were working to clear stranded vehicles. “A lot of drivers are experiencing issues with vehicles being stranded on the viaduct. Right now, the fire department and other departments are working hard to get everything taken care of,” Boyd said. “Most of the persons that are stranded are being towed out at this time. So, we’re just keeping our eyes open, being vigilant and take care of the people who need it.”.
Even as rain shifted, the storm’s ripple effects kept landing on schedules and events. The cancellation and postponement of Fourth of July activities spread through multiple towns.
Naperville canceled its fireworks show on Saturday. Arlington Heights’ drone show was canceled. Elgin canceled its Fourth of July celebration and fireworks. St Charles postponed its fireworks display to a later date. Glen Ellyn’s Fourth of July celebration was canceled. Lombard’s fireworks display was canceled. Park Forest’s Fourth of July celebration—including the parade, live entertainment, and fireworks—was canceled. Streamwood’s fireworks display was canceled. South Holland’s Fourth of July events were canceled, and the fireworks display will be rescheduled. The Woodridge–Downers Grove fireworks display will be rescheduled. Northbrook canceled its Fourth of July parade. Country Club Hills will postpone its fireworks to a new date.
In other communities, timing changed rather than ending. Huntley rescheduled its fireworks to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Batavia’s fireworks were postponed to Sunday evening. Lake Station, Indiana will host its fireworks show at dusk Sunday. Valparaiso, Indiana postponed its Fourth of July event to 7 p.m. Sunday, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
The rain may have stopped for now, but the effects remained on the ground. Several streets and viaducts were still flooded or had high standing water, so officials urged people to be careful.
By late morning, disruptions also showed up in air travel: as of 11:50 a.m., 138 flights had been canceled at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, with delays averaging 15 minutes. At Chicago Midway International Airport, 18 flights had been canceled, with delays averaging less than 15 minutes.
The day’s forecast offered little comfort beyond a slow easing: Sunday will not feel as muggy, and there will be a few showers as highs reach into the low 80s.
One storm can move fast, but the consequences don’t. Flood warning signs, stalled vehicles, power loss, and a cascade of postponed celebrations were all tied to the same force moving across the region—leaving residents to deal with not just the rain, but what it left behind.
Chicago flood warning Bishop Ford Freeway closure ComEd power outage Wrigley Field postponed Kendall County tree fall death Fourth of July fireworks postponed