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High waves on Lake Michigan cause flooding in Chicago

Winds gusting to 65 mph off Lake Michigan created big waves, and flooding on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The Navy Pier attractions were closed by the waves. 

  • By Staff Associated Press

Winds gusting up to 65 mph caused Lake Michigan waves to slam into the Chicago shoreline, sending water onto part of Lake Shore Drive. The waves slowed traffic and prompted the cancellation of a Halloween attraction.

Parts of the scenic highway were flooded Friday, leading to some lane closures. Traffic was backed up for miles.

The Chicago Tribune reported:

One lane of northbound Lake Shore Drive was closed Friday from Oak Street to North Avenue about 1:30 p.m., according to the Office of Emergency Management. Streets and sanitation workers were on scene to manage the damage. Farther south, northbound Lake Shore Drive was briefly closed but had reopened at Monroe Street after crews cleaned up from flooding caused by high waves.

The high waves prompted Navy Pier, one of Chicago's top tourist attractions, to close its eastern end. Navy Pier officials also canceled a haunted house that's located on a barge. Officials later announced the barge was taking on water and the attraction is closed permanently.

The National Weather Service issued a lakeshore flood advisory to remain in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday. The warning forecasts winds of up to 50 mph and 23-foot waves.

High winds and a light but early snowfall also caused the cancellation of more than 700 flights in and out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Friday.

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