Strong storms in Chicago area knock down trees, cause flooding

Strong storms rocked the Chicago area Tuesday for a second straight night, knocking down trees and causing flooding across the region.

Rainfall rates exceeded two-to-three inches per hour at times during the afternoon and early evening, according to officials.

Traffic on Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood was blocked by a large tree that uprooted.

In the Logan Square neighborhood, a car on North Spaulding Avenue was crushed by a toppled tree.

Some basements were flooded by the heavy downpour.

In Chicago's Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, cars drove through standing water on Ashland Avenue.

Storms hovered over the South and West Sides of Chicago for hours, dumping inches of rain and causing ponding on the Dan Ryan Expressway during rush hour.

Flooded viaducts were