The threat has been building for years. Over the past century in Chicago, the likelihood of heavy rainstorms has increased sevenfold. These storms can drop more than 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours.

The National Weather Service said recent heavy rainfall has left the soil saturated and elevated stream and creek levels, increasing the risk more rainfall could trigger rapid runoff and flash flooding.

The project introduces a breakthrough in urban flood prediction, using GPU-accelerated computing to deliver near real-time forecasts at a city scale rather than across broader regions.

Reduce your use of water before, during and after rainstorms to reduce the amount of water in your municipal sewers.

Guests of all ages may take an abbreviated tour of the plant, meet with MWRD staff for interactive activities and take home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds.

As much as 0.4 inches of rain has fallen so far in parts of Cook County for the storm that began around 12:00 a.m. this morning.