Flash Floods Lead To Submerged Vehicles, Rescues In Chicago: Here's How Much Rain Fell

CHICAGO, IL — Torrential downpours dumped more than 5 inches of rain in areas of west-central Chicago Tuesday night, resulting in localized flash flooding, the National Weather Service said.

The heavy rainfall over a short time period left some vehicles stuck in high water under several underpasses on Chicago's West Side, WGN reported. Waist-deep water was reported under one underpass, plus serious damage to some cars, according to WGN, but no serious injuries were reporting in the flooding.

The weather service reported water rescues during the flooding, but Chicago police and fire have not confirmed any details.

The worst of the flooding happened west of I-90 and along the I-290 corridor, with 2 inches to over 5 inches of rain falling in less than two hours.

A gauge west of the United Center showed 5.12 inches of rain in 90 minutes, what the National Weather Service called a "staggeringly high rainfall rate."

East Garfield Park saw 5.45 inches of rain, while the Loop saw nearly 4 inches. Just under 3 inches of rain fell in the Ukrainian Village and on the lower west side, NWS said.

"Such torrential rain rates led to flooded viaducts, water rescues, and basements in the impacted area," the weather service said.

Related: What IL Residents Need To Know About Flash Flooding After Deadly Texas Tragedy

The flash flooding in Chicago comes as more than 160 people were still reported to be missing, and the death toll reached at least 110 people, including 30 children, after catastrophic flooding in Texas.

After Tuesday's localized heavy rain, the NWS warned of life-threatening swimming conditions at beaches, primarily in Northwestern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan, but also with moderate risk along the lakefront in Chicago, Evanston and Waukegan. Quickly building waves of 3 to 5 feet and dangerous rip currents are possible, NWS said.

Isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday as a cold front moves in from Lake Michigan. Shower and thunderstorm chances will return Friday into Saturday.