Chicago has already seen more than double the average rainfall for the month of July. These heavy rains have tested the capacity of our drainage system, overwhelming below-ground storage provided by the Deep Tunnel, and leading to flooding in many parts of the city.
The same tools and systems that used to keep flooding at bay just aren’t up to the task. An often overlooked solution to flooding is green infrastructure, like green roofs, greenways, and street trees. These green spaces act like a sponge, absorbing water that might otherwise contribute to flooding.
