Overview

• Overnight thunderstorms dumped between 2.5 and nearly 7 inches of rain in under two hours across Cook, Will and DuPage counties, overwhelming drains and low-lying streets.
• Flooded viaducts and submerged cars prompted water rescues Tuesday night as torrential rain created life-threatening travel conditions.
• Pockets of standing water and patchy fog linger on area roads, leading the National Weather Service to advise motorists to prepare for variable visibility and extra travel time.
• Gusts up to 55 mph on the South Side drove 2- to 4-foot waves on Lake Michigan and triggered a moderate swim risk for southern beaches through Thursday morning.
• Forecasts call for a 30% chance of showers Wednesday, dry conditions Thursday and renewed showers and thunderstorms Friday into Saturday.