National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Erin Strengthens to a Hurricane; Heavy Rainfall Possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Upper Midwest, South Texas

Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • There were multiple rounds of thunderstorms across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Monday, September 3 (Labor Day), with multiple strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon.
  • The most impacting aspects of this event are shown to the right, including flooding, wind damage, and possibly a couple brief, weak tornadoes.
  • A storm tracked from northwest Ogle County to near Rockford in Winnebago County, with low-level rotation and multiple low funnels.  While a preliminary brief tornado was reported in Rock Cut State Park, there was no damage found in the park. 
  • A strong downburst, as evidenced by radar and the tree damage, occurred in Wayne, IL (DuPage County).
  • A brief weak tornado occurred on the west side of Chicago during the afternoon.
  • Flooding occurred in parts of the northern and northwestern Chicago metro area, including road closures such as I-190 near O'Hare Airport.
  • This was the wettest Labor Day on record in Chicago, with measured 24-hour rainfall of 1.79" at O'Hare topping the Chicago record of 1.49" in 1912.



Summary
Overview
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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
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