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Illinois Weather Trivia for August 2^nd

8/2/1981

Thunderstorms moving across central Illinois dumped 4.40 inches of rain at Capital Airport in Springfield. Just 6 days earlier, on July 27th, another 4.33 inches of rain was recorded from strong thunderstorms.

8/2/2001

Thunderstorms developed over northern Cook County between 6 and 7 am, slowly moved southeast, and exited the southern part of the county by 11 am. Rain was falling at the rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour at some locations. The Edens Expressway at Pratt had 6 to 8 feet of water covering the interstate, submerging 3 cars. The Dan Ryan Expressway was closed and flooded between 83rd and 87th. The Eisenhower at the Kennedy had 3 to 4 feet of water covering the interstates. 228 vehicles were reported to have been towed from flooded roads or viaducts. Many other smaller intersections and viaducts across the city of Chicago, and parts of Cook County, were flooded and impassible. No injuries were reported from the storm. Totals included 4.78 inches in the Loop, 3.95 inches at Skokie and Wilmette, 3.50 inches at Wrigleyville, 3.41 inches at Willow Springs, and 3.04 inches at Burr Ridge. A 93 mile tunnel, used to hold rain water during periods of heavy rain, filled in just over an hour, holding approximately 1.6 billion gallons of water. The Chicago Park District opened locks at Wilmette and downtown Chicago, to allow rain water to flow directly into Lake Michigan.