⛈️ Tornadoes, flooding, and record rain

Chicago’s Stormy Spring

The National Weather Service reported over 15 tornadoes Friday, mostly across northern and central Illinois. The village of Lena, about a two-hour drive from Chicago, was hit the hardest by a twister the size of about 10 city blocks with 130 mph winds.

Experts say this isn’t out of the ordinary. Tornado outbreaks in Illinois are common (and, yes, they can hit Chicago), but research is pointing to more frequent occurrences, with warmer spring temperatures.

Record-breaking rainfall: It’s also the rainiest April Chicago has experienced on record, making it the city’s wettest spring. Between March 1 and April 20, O’Hare saw 10.63 inches of rainfall, more than double the average rainfall of 4.66 inches.

This recent stretch of rainy weather has also ended the drought that had affected the Chicago area for the past few years, though other parts of Illinois are still abnormally dry.

River floods: The Des Plaines and Fox rivers saw high water levels after Friday’s storm. Fox River is predicted to continue to swell and crest near 12 feet Thursday in Algonquin, about 40 miles from Chicago.

How to reduce floods: Last week, hundreds of Chicagoans called 311 to report flooding in streets and basements. Some West Side residents are still recovering from flooding in 2023, when around 70,000 homes were impacted. Flooding is Chicago’s most threatening natural disaster.

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce flooding in your home and your streets:

• Redirect downspouts to gardens instead of sewers
• Attach an extension to a rain barrel
• Replace hard surfaces like concrete with native landscaping and rain gardens on your property.

I still think about the time my basement flooded while my sister and I slept down there — her poor hot pink iPod nano floating in the murky abyss. Luckily, my dad always had his pump handy, which helped us get the water out.

May Day Agreement

Class will be in session May 1, but Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union have agreed to allow some students and staff to attend a pro-labor, anti-Trump rally in the afternoon. They will also provide buses. CTU originally pushed to cancel classes. [Chalkbeat]

Adam Toledo’s Family Drops Lawsuit, Plans to Refile

Toledo’s family has argued that the officer who fatally shot the 13-year-old in 2021 not only used excessive force, but also that the police department was negligent in hiring him. A judge ruled those two claims should receive separate trials, prompting the family to withdraw the lawsuit with plans to refile. [WTTW]

Grocery Store Closed for Asbestos

The Chicago Public Health Department has temporarily closed an Auburn Gresham grocery store, Dearborn Wholesale Grocers, for “serious asbestos risk.” Officials recommend customers get rid of anything purchased from the store this month. [Block Club]

Southwest Side Motel Turning Into Shelter

Aloha Motel on Cicero Avenue is being converted into a permanent homeless shelter. The transitional housing facility will have 55 private rooms and services for families, couples, and individuals. [Block Club]