mojeNovosti.com
A sinkhole has swallowed three cars in Chicago's South Deering neighborhood, injuring one person. It comes after heavy rains and flooding swept the area overnight. More rain is expected to fall on Thursday, as residents are advised to stay at home.
The rescued person is in serious-to-critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Rescue services responded to the scene around 5:30am, when two cars were inside the hole. A third one slid into it after crews arrived, WGN-TV reported.
The sinkhole occurred after heavy rains and flooding hit the area overnight, although officials would not confirm whether the hole was caused by the inclement weather.
Three to five inches of rain fell on Wednesday and overnight. The storms forced the cancellation of more than 300 flights and closed hundreds of schools in the Chicago area. The rain waters closed nearby expressways during morning rush hour on Thursday.
Evacuations have begun to take place along the Des Plaines and Fox rivers, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The Chicago Transit Authority reported delays or stopped trains on eight of its lines. Many city buses were also rerouted.
In the town of Elmhurst, Acting Mayor Scott Levin declared a state of emergency. He cited flooding, severe sewage backups in homes, overwhelmed resources, and emergency personnel staffing. Elmhurst is located 20 miles west of Chicago.
A high school in the northern suburb of Libertyville sank a foot into the ground, according to the local Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
An additional one to two inches of rain is expected on Thursday morning. The National Weather Service has called the situation a "very serious and potentially dangerous flood situation" and advised people to stay home.
There is a flash flood warning in effect for the entire Chicago area and Northwest Indiana until noon local time.
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