April 28-30 Heavy Rainfall Event

Fast Facts

1" to 5" of rain fell from April 28-30, highest in Lake County Illinois. Much of the rain fell due to a slow moving low pressure system on Wednesday April 29th into early Thursday April 30th. Widespread river flooding developed due to the heavy rain.
The official rainfall for Chicago was 2.30" observed at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Other rainfall amounts include 2.28" at the NWS Chicago in Romeoville and 2.73" observed 3 miles southwest of Chicago Midway International Airport.
In addition to the rain, strong northerly winds on the back side of the low pressure system built large waves and couple with already record high lake levels to cause lakeshore flooding and beach erosion, especially in northwest Indiana.

Rain Totals

Rainfall Totals

Lakeshore Flooding on Thursday April 30th

Whiting, Indiana Area, videos courtesy of Jerry Smith

Links

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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Science & Past Events Page.