Strong storms kicked off record setting heavy rains which resulted in record crests across area streams and rivers.  Many locations across northern Illinois received 4 to 7 inches of rainfall, with several reports of over 7 inches of rain out of Du Page County.

Flash Flood in LA SALLE, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 03:13:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE HOLIDAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

County emergency managers estimated that over 500 buildings were damaged by flooding across La Salle County.  In Marseilles, 1500 people were evacuated due to a compromised levee which led to dozens of homes and facilities being flooded along the river front.  Several barges broke loose from a tugboat on the Illinois River and rammed into the levee.  Five of the eight locks were damaged such that they could not close completely.  Flooding occurred in Utica east of Route 178 resulting in evacuations on the I&M Canal.  Creeks were reported out of their banks in Mendota.  A woman was killed on Route 351 as it passes over the Illinois River near Peru.  She drove around barricades and became stranded in knee-deep water.  Her body was found about two weeks later approximately 70 yards downstream.

Hail in LEE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 07:46:00 to 17-APR-13 07:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAW PAW
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in KENDALL, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 08:20:00 to 17-APR-13 08:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSWEGO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in DU PAGE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 08:47:00 to 17-APR-13 08:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGHLAND HILLS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny size hail was reported near the intersection of Interstate 88 and Highland Avenue.

Hail in DE KALB, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:10:00 to 17-APR-13 10:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE KALB
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in COOK, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:19:00 to 17-APR-13 10:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCHAUMBURG
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in DE KALB, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:20:00 to 17-APR-13 10:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORTLAND
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in KANE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:23:00 to 17-APR-13 10:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENPECK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Nickel size hail was reported near Interstate 90 and Route 20.

Hail in KANE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:26:00 to 17-APR-13 10:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST DUNDEE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in KANE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:37:00 to 17-APR-13 10:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELGIN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LEE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:45:00 to 17-APR-13 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel sized hail covered the ground.

Hail in LAKE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 11:14:00 to 17-APR-13 11:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH BARRINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LAKE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 11:45:00 to 17-APR-13 11:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUKEGAN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MCHENRY, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 12:12:00 to 17-APR-13 12:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRYSTAL LAKE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in IROQUOIS, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 07:20:00 to 18-APR-13 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATSEKA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were blown down in Watseka.

Flash Flood in LIVINGSTON, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 20:15:00 to 18-APR-13 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLANAGAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Illinois Route 18 was under water just north of Illinois Route 17.  The viaduct on Illinois Route 23 south of Streator was flooded.  Dwight received 3.67 inches of rainfall.

Flash Flood in LA SALLE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 20:40:00 to 18-APR-13 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Approximately six inches of running water was reported a mile east of Route 251 on North 2nd Road making the road impassable.  An observer near Seneca reported 5.17 inches of rain while an observer near Streator reported 4.76 inches of rainfall.

Flash Flood in OGLE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 13:18:00 to 17-APR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAILEYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding was occurring at a nursing home in Oregon.  Sandbags were sent to Stillman Valley. Creeks were rising out of their banks near Polo.  River Road was closed south of Route 72 near Byron. Also near Byron, the Rock River undercut portions of the shoulder of Route 2 in several spots.  Widespread standing water was reported county wide. An observer in Oregon reported a storm total of 5.00 inches or rainfall.

Flash Flood in GRUNDY, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 05:00:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NETTLECREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The hardest hit areas in Grundy County were Morris, Mazon, and Minooka.  Numerous rescues took place, including people trapped in vehicles in rising waters.  Forty-four patients at Morris Hospital were evacuated when the lower floor flooded.  The aqueduct that carries the I & M canal over Nettle Creek collapsed.  South of Morris, Pine Bluff Road was impassable with approximately a foot of water.

Flash Flood in KENDALL, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 06:00:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE ROCK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were closed across the county due to flooding.  An observer near Yorkville reported 6.30 inches of rain while another near Montgomery reported 5.66 inches.

Flash Flood in DE KALB, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 03:50:00 to 18-APR-13 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were closed across the county due to flooding.  An observer in De Kalb reported 4.67 inches of rain. An observer in Shabbona reported 4.53 inches of rain.

Flash Flood in WILL, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 05:01:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding was reported in portions of Will County.  Rolf Road was closed between Lilly Cache Road and Route 59.  South Lilly Cache Road was impassable with over 16 inches of standing water between Caton Farm Road and Rolf Road. Route 30 was closed between 143rd Street and Wolf's Crossing Road. Van Dyke Road was closed between Route 126 and 119th Street.  Walling Drive was closed between 143rd Street and Route 126. Storm total rainfall reports include 5.48 inches in Plainfield, 5.10 inches in Manhattan, and 4.29 inches in Mokena.

Flash Flood in COOK, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 05:00:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLABURN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding was reported in southern Cook County.  Portions of the Bishop Ford Expressway were closed.  Some of the heaviest rainfall reports include 5.59 inches near Burnham-Hegewisch, 4.85 inches near Park Forest, and 4.45 inches in Palos Park.

Tornado in FORD, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 07:36:00 to 18-APR-13 07:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBSON CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Witnesses described a tornado briefly touching down and hitting a barn, killing two horses, then lifting back up.  Six power poles were also blown down. Emergency managers found debris as far as approximately six miles away.

Flash Flood in KANE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 10:53:00 to 17-APR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNDEE KOPPIE ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The intersection of Route 47 and Plato Road was flooded.  Water was rushing over the road near Sandbloom Road and Bolz Road.  Standing water was reported on Route 72 and Randall Road.  Observers reported storm total rainfall of 5.34 inches near Algonquin and 4.36 inches near Elgin.

Flash Flood in DU PAGE, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 03:45:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MUNGER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 6.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding was reported over much of DuPage County.  Dozens of homes were underwater in Towers of Four Lakes Village requiring emergency crews to rescue people trapped inside. Numerous roadways were covered with flowing water causing several cars to stall.  Lower levels of several apartment buildings were flooded.  Retention ponds were overflowing.  Roosevelt Road was closed between Wegner Drive and Joliet Street due to high water.  Portions of Route 53 were closed between 75th Street and Royce Road. Numerous basements were flooded near Elmhurst, Lisle, and Naperville. Some residents had to be rescued in Lisle. The Glen Ellyn Public Library building's sub-basement flooded under five feet of water and also received extensive damage on the first floor.  In Lombard, basements as well as first floors were flooded.  Approximately 30 streets in Lombard were completely submerged.
Du Page county received the most rainfall during this evening with several sites reporting over seven inches of rain.  Observers measured 7.34 inches near Naperville, 7.26 inches near Elmhurst, 7.12 inches near Aurora, and 7.01 inches near Lisle.

Flash Flood in COOK, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 03:55:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENCOE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 12.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding was reported across northern Cook County. All lanes on Interstate 94 were impassable near Pratt Avenue.  Hundreds of homes were flooded, including homes along the Des Plaines River where some basements were flooded to the ceiling.  The exit ramp from Interstate 90 to Arlington Heights Road was blocked due to flooding.  Over six inches of water was reported on Milwaukee Avenue from Golf Road to north of Glenview Road.  Portions of the Edens Expressway were closed. Some of the heaviest rainfall reports include 6.23 inches near Winnetka, 5.91 inches near Lincolnwood, and 5.82 inches near Evanston.

Flash Flood in LAKE, ILLINOIS
From 17-APR-13 15:45:00 to 17-APR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHANNEL LAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A levee was breached in Lincolnshire requiring 49 homes to be evacuated.  Route 41 was closed between Route 137 and Route 176. Near Beach Park, water was reported over many roads, ponds were out of banks, and many homes had water up to doorsteps. County emergency managers estimated that 4,500 properties were affected by the flooding.

Flash Flood in COOK, ILLINOIS
From 18-APR-13 03:55:00 to 18-APR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELK GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 6.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding was reported in central Cook County.  Flooding was reported on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 290 between York Road and North Avenue.  Flooding was reported on Route 45 and Archer Avenue in Willow Springs.  Portions of the Dan Ryan, Edens, Eisenhower, and Kennedy Expressways were closed due to flooding.  Chicago received over 1,200 calls for flooded basements.  Some of the heaviest rainfall reports include 6.41 inches near Melrose Park, 5.55 inches at O'Hare Airport, and 5.25 inches near Oak Park.  The flow of the Chicago River was reversed, providing relief by allowing it to flow into Lake Michigan.