Chicago weather: Severe weather cancels flights, impacts Labor Day weekend travel
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Summer ended with severe storms across the area, snarling holiday weekend travel.
The FAA reported 474 flights had been cancelled at O'Hare International Airport as of 9:53 p.m. Some flights arriving to O'Hare International Airport were delayed by an average of 3 hours and 26 minutes, according to the FAA.
Taxi and Gate Hold delays of 30 to 45 minutes are also being reported at O'Hare due to storms.
There was also flooding inside O'Hare's Terminal 5.
"It was dripping through the light fixtures. It was pretty nuts," said Ryan Worthington, a traveler at O'Hare. "When we first got off they were using a Zamboni water machine to scoop it up, but it's probably of an inch thick through most of the area."
"Somehow it went through the concrete all the way through the floor," said Jordan Zakheil, a Smarte Carte employee.
Midway Airport reported average delays of 25 minutes or less and 4 cancellations as of 9:53 p.m.
Flooding closed several roads and delayed flights in the Chicago area Monday, including the I-90 O'Hare Extension at Mannheim Road in both directions, according to Illinois State Police. The Westbound I-90 O'Hare Extension was also closed by flooding between Mannheim Road and Bessie Coleman Drive.
Travelers like Matt Noone, desperate to make flights from Terminal 5, had only one choice.
"I was in an Uber for like an hour. He tried like four different access points and couldn't get in, so I just got out and walked," he said.
I-90 has since reopened but traffic remained slow because of standing water.
Park Ridge Police reported Monday that Touhy Avenue was closed at the viaduct, Cumberland was closed at Belleplaine and Northwest Highway was closed at 400 North due to flooding.
In north suburban Lake Forest, some cars were floating under Route 41. Floodwaters in the area stranded one woman, who was forced to abandon her car in chest-deep water.
According to the Lake County Sheriff, Route 45 is closed between Peterson Road and Route 137 in Libertyville. Metra and the Illinois Department of Transportation are assessing damage to a railroad bridge in the area.
Metra representatives said structural issues with the bridge may cause "extensive delays" for inbound and outbound trains.
"Passengers are being bused between Libertyville and Prairie Crossing until further notice," Metra said.
In North Chicago, fire crews had to rescue another woman who had become trapped under a viaduct.
Chicago City officials said the water department deployed additional crews to assist with 311 calls related to the flooding.
The storms also brought lightning to the area. One resident in south suburban Darien said his house was struck by lightning while he and his family were inside. No one was hurt and there was no significant damage to the home.
A 33-year-old Naperville man was also struck by lightning at Whalon Lake Forest Preserve.
The man's son, 13, ran for help but fell and injured his leg. The boy was able to get the attention of passersby, who called 911.
According to officials, the man did not have a pulse when he was pulled from the water, but paramedics were able to resuscitate him. Both he and his son were taken to the hospital.
Earlier Monday afternoon, a severe thunderstorm prompted a tornado warning for McHenry and Lake Counties. The warning was later canceled.
Chicago residents are asked to call 311 to report flooding or problems associated with floodwater.
