Flooding Closes Some Oak Forest Roads (Update)

UPDATE (2:16 p.m. Thursday, April 18)

Also, Gov. Pat Quinn has declared a state of emergency for Illinois because of the flooding, NBC5 Chicago reports.

PHOTOS: Check Out How Pictures of the Flooding From Around the Southland

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Some Oak Forest roads have been closed because of flooding from heavy rains Wednesday night and throughout Thursday, according to a city spokeswoman.

These roads and intersections are currently blocked off by the city, said Chrissy Maher, the public relations coordinator for Oak Forest:

• 155th Street and Kilpatrick Avenue
• 151st Street and Laporte Avenue
• Lavergne Avenue between 153rd and 154th streets
• 159th Street at Central Avenue (one lane) 

The flooding in these areas is the result of overflow from Midlothian and Natalie creeks, Maher said, adding that the city also has received calls from residents with flooded basements. 

Even with all the rain and flooding, the city is still under normal operation, Maher said.

Patch also received a report that Resurrection Preschool had been closed Thursday. Calls to school were not answered, and a message used during off hours played. 

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flooding warning for Cook and Will counties, as well as several nearby areas, and remains in effect.

According to the NWS, as much as an inch of rain in 30 minutes has fallen during the most recent line of thunderstorms moving across northern Illinois since 7:45 a.m. Thursday, adding to three to six inches of rain that already has fallen in the last 24 hours.

The storm is a described as a “potentially life threatening event” by the NWS, and they recommend avoiding driving if possible.

Motorists should not attempt to drive through areas where water covers the road. Along with local road closures, the Edens, Kennedy and Eisenhower expressways have sections closed due to flooding.

Patch will continue to update this story.

YOUR TURN: How did the storm affect you? Did you experience any flooding or power outages? Were roads hard to navigate because of high waters? Tell us in the comments and pass along any information about areas that might be trouble for people. Plus, share your photos of flooding and storm damage in this story's media gallery.

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