CHICAGO, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Flood warnings have been issued for parts of the states of Illinois and Michigan states as heavy rainfall continued to hit the lower Great Lakes area in the U.S. Midwest.
Additional rainfall and recent snow melt will result in flooding around the Illinois River, Du Page River, Fox River in the State of Illinois, the National Weather Service in Chicago warned on Tuesday.
Moderate to heavy rain is also spreading into northern lower Michigan State. Widespread ponding of water on roadways and minor flooding in areas of poor drainage are expected to continue into Wednesday morning.
Two to three inches (about 5-8 cm) of rain have already fallen in some parts of Illinois since Monday night, according to the weather service.
Overnight thunderstorms across the Chicago area reportedly forced the closure of several water-soaked roads, making commute in the morning a longer one for many drivers.
Many major roads were closed in the south suburbs, said officials from Cook County, Illinois, where Chicago is located.