The afternoon rain caused problems in particular in the west Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. Some drivers tried their luck in high water, while other roadways were impassable. The area is prone to flooding, but the flooding it experienced was serious.

As of 12:30 p.m., heavy rain had already started to fall in some parts. A flash flood warning was in effect for DuPage and Cook County, the NWS said, with reports of "totally submerged viaducts and underpasses in the city of Chicago."

Funnel clouds were reported Friday morning in Illinois and there was a Flood Warning for parts of the Chicago area into the evening.