Severe thunderstorms swept through the Chicago metropolitan area on Friday, July 25, 2025, unleashing torrential rains that triggered widespread flash flooding, disrupted travel, and left many neighborhoods under water. The heaviest rainfall was reported in Bridgeview, where more than 150 mm (6 inches) fell in less than two hours.
Heavy flooding due to intense rainfall in Chicago, Illinois, USA 🇺🇸 (25.07.2025)pic.twitter.com/5tJIksNyQ2
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) July 25, 2025
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flash Flood Warning for the south side of Chicago, where 75–125 mm (3–5 inches) of rain had already fallen by mid-afternoon. Multiple communities including Naperville, Washington Park, and Burr Ridge also reported significant flooding.
At Chicago Midway International Airport, 38 mm (1.5 inches) of rain fell in just 37 minutes, with a total of 70 mm (2.77 inches) recorded within 90 minutes. A ground stop was issued, and both Midway and O’Hare International Airport faced inbound and outbound flight delays.
On the ground, drivers on Interstate 55 encountered flooded roadways, and video footage showed cars navigating submerged stretches of highway. Numerous viaducts and underpasses across the city were completely inundated, particularly on Western Avenue, 58th and Harlem, and 47th and Archer. One person became trapped in a flooded vehicle and had to be rescued and towed.
In Willowbrook, floodwaters inundated streets and homes, adding to the regional impact. Meanwhile, in Summit, water flooded basements and damaged newly installed home appliances. Some residents experienced waist-deep water, while others reported widespread power outages that disabled sump pumps and worsened damage.
At Daley College and surrounding areas near Hamlin and 75th Street, residents described the flooding as significantly worse than the previous night’s storms.
A lot of people lost power, their sump pumps went out. Our team completed more than a dozen service calls by Friday afternoon, and we’re expecting more through Saturday.
As of late Friday, floodwaters were beginning to recede, but significant cleanup remained across the region. Officials continued urging residents to avoid flooded roadways and low-lying areas as additional rainfall remained in the weekend forecast.
