More than 8 in. of rain fell between May 15 and 17 across the greater Chicago area, flooding Lower Wacker Drive in the city's loop and raising river heights, including the highest level recorded on the Chicago River in more than 60 years.

River gauges on Grand Street showed the Chicago River's height at more than 5 ft Saturday; the last time it was measured that high was in 1956. Water flooded Lower Wacker Drive in the city's two-level downtown. Stranded motorists had to be rescued by the Chicago Fire Dept., which used Zodiac boats to rescue six people from Lower Wacker Drive.