Some Fourth of July events are canceled, delayed or postponed in Lake and McHenry counties as strong thunderstorms, which have brought flooding, are moving through the area Saturday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a hazardous weather outlook Saturday afternoon for Lake, McHenry, Will, Winnebago, Cook, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois and Ford counties.
The outlook said significant thunderstorm risk was present with a damaging wind risk of up to 65 mph and an elevated flooding risk.
Thunderstorms will continue moving across the area with a threat for flash flooding and locally damaging winds, the NWS said.
A severe thunderstorm watch, flash flood warning and flood watch are also in effect for parts of the northern Illinois area.
Parts of McHenry, DeKalb and Kane counties were also under a severe thunderstorm warning around 2 p.m., but it has since expired.
The alerts say flooding of streets, underpasses, basements and vulnerable structures were possible.
Storm drains and ditches may be clogged with debris, increasing the risk of flooding, the NWS said. “This is especially true in the Chicago metropolitan area.”
Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated around 4 p.m. that thunderstorms were producing rainfall rates of up to two to three inches per hour.
Up to three inches of rain have fallen in portions of far northeast Kane County, the NWS said. An inch of rain was reported in about 15 minutes in Barlett.
A funnel cloud was spotted near Lake Villa around 2 p.m.
The Huntley Police Department said Jim Dhamer Drive was temporarily closed between Sandwald Road and Quality Drive due to flooding.
“Residents in the Del Webb community should also use caution, as standing water and debris remain on area roadways following recent heavy rain and high winds. Please use caution when traveling through the area and consider using alternate routes when possible,” the police department said.
Huntley’s Independence Day fireworks were rescheduled to Sunday. “We’re disappointed, but safety is always our highest priority.”
Officials in Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Mundelein and Libertyville say they are currently monitoring weather conditions. The Village of Mundelein temporarily closed the Mundelein Munch and Carnival due to the lightning.
The Village of Lincolnshire and Libertyville Police Department said fireworks are still scheduled for 9:30 p.m. “If the weather creates unsafe conditions, the fireworks may be delayed or postponed until Sunday, July 5,” Libertyville officials said.
The Lake Forest Park and Recreations said the start of Saturday evening’s Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks has been delayed due to the storms.
“At this time, the festival is expected to begin no earlier than 6 pm. Additional delays may be necessary depending on weather conditions,” the park and recreation department said.
“The safety of attendees remains our top priority. City staff are actively monitoring the weather. We anticipate opening the event once the storms have passed and the park can be safely prepared for guests,” they added.
The Village of Lake Zurich closed Paulus Park around 3 p.m. due to the weather. The Mundelein Park and Recreation said the spray park was closed for the remainder of the day.