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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

Unusually high Lake Michigan water levels, near record in fact, set the stage for minor flooding impacts with a prolonged, breezy northerly winds on Independence Day weekend 2019. North-northeast winds were regularly gusting 15-25 kt, and while not as strong as usual for flooding events, the wave action on top of high levels resulted in the minor flooding. This was minor but because it was summer and beaches were active, this episode had impacts more so than typical season for lakeshore flood advisory events (autumn, winter, and spring). This included flooding along Chicago area beaches and parts of the city's bike path. A Lakeshore Flood Advisory was issued beforehand, along with a Beach Hazards Statement for rip currents, by NWS Chicago.

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Flooding along the Chicago shore on July 6, 2019.
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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
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