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:

  • Numerous storms moved south through northern Illinois Tuesday evening, producing scattered downbursts of 35+ mph winds, and in isolated locations these reached to 50+ mph causing damage.
  • Downbursts are concentrated areas of rain and rain-cooled air from thunderstorms, and this more dense, cool air hits the grounds and rushes out, at times causing damage.
  • The thunderstorms also produced heavy rain resulting in localized flash flooding, including in parts of the Chicago and Rockford metro areas.   
Downburst
Animation from College of DuPage webcam showing downburst.
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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
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