Chicago's Wet Spring Breaks Rain Records, Flooding Basements Across the City

Chicago is experiencing its wettest start to meteorological spring on record, with rainfall surpassing typical seasonal totals and ending a multi-year drought. Through mid-April, more than 10 inches of rain have fallen this spring (about 5.47 inches in April so far, on top of March’s 4.54 inches), pushing the season well above normal and, per meteorologists, into historic territory. The heavy rains have flooded basements and streets, triggering hundreds of 311 calls, especially in the Far Northwest Side, with forecasters warning of more rain before a cooler, drier spell arrives.