This week's sudden outburst of rain in Chicago has some sounding the alarm on climate-related weather disasters and the resources needed to mitigate them.

The latest: More severe storms hit the Chicago area last night, with reported flooding in parts of the city and suburbs.

The big picture: Tuesday's fast-moving storm dropped about 5 inches of rain in just 90 minutes on the near West Side, flooding viaducts and basements.

• That's more rain than what is usually the average for the entire month of July.

Why it matters: This sudden burst was similar to storms that caused flooding in Texas and New Mexico, offering a sobering reality: Climate disasters are now a regular occurrence in Chicago.

Reality check: It was just two years ago that a similar storm system whalloped the same West Side community, flooding basements and prompting the Biden administration to offer resources for cleanup assistance.

• Both Illinois U.S. Senators secured over $800 million in federal funds to help unmet needs for past state climate disasters in 2023 and 2024.

Yes, but: That was before President Trump took office, and his administration wants to shrink the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is used to help states with disaster recovery.

Between the lines: Trump swooped in to help with the floods in Texas, but the backlog of other states' federal disaster requests is staggering.

• In May alone, the national average for outstanding requests was 13, while the normal average is just under four.

The intrigue: Some Democratic governors are accusing the Trump administration of playing politics, responding faster to Republican-led states.

What they're saying: "With disaster relief, you need predictability," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow Sarah Labowitz tells Axios. She publishes the Disaster Dollar Database.

By the numbers: Extreme weather events cost the U.S. economy an estimated $180 to $496 billion per year in 2023 dollars, according to a 2024 report from the Senate Joint Economic Committee.

• In Illinois, the average cost of federal assistance for climate disasters in 2024 totaled just under $55 million per disaster. If the state had to shoulder the cleanup burden alone, it would take just over 30 days to deplete the funds available, according to Labowitz.

Go deeper

A horrible year for measles is about to get worse, according to a Northwestern University pediatric infectious disease specialist.

Why it matters: The U.S. is already facing its most measles cases in 33 years, with three confirmed deaths and 13% of cases requiring hospitalization.

What they're saying: Summer travel "all over the U.S. and abroad ... will increase the spread of measles," predicts Lurie Children's Hospital's Tina Tan, who serves as president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Catch up quick: A measles outbreak that started in February in a poorly vaccinated part of West Texas has since spread to 39 states, including Illinois, where 10 cases have been reported this year.

• In 92% of the 1,288 confirmed cases nationwide, the individuals were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.

Friction point: Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the federal vaccine advisory panel (called ACIP) and replaced them with several people who have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments.

• Tan urges parents not to wait for new ACIP guidance as it is "anti-science, anti-vaccine and is not valid advice. Please make sure your child is up to date on all their vaccines in order to provide them with the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases."
• This week, the Illinois-based American Academy of Pediatrics joined other medical associations in suing HHS over the "unilateral, unscientific" vaccine policy recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines for kids and pregnant women.

The other side: HHS officials said in a statement that it continues to support community efforts in dealing with measles outbreaks through technical assistance, lab support and vaccines as requested.

What we're watching

🏢 Developers have unveiled plans to create Foundry Park on part of the old Lincoln Yards site, featuring condos, apartments and mixed commercial spaces. (Block Club)

💰 State Farm plans to raise Illinois home insurance rates by 27% in August. (Tribune)

Former Cubs manager Lee Elia died Wednesday at the age of 87. Elia's 1983 rant after a team loss became one of baseball's most infamous speeches. (Tribune)

⚾️ The White Sox will unveil a new statue tonight in honor of Mark Buehrle. (ESPN)

Brookfield Zoo opened a new $66 million gorilla habitat yesterday that officials are hailing as critical to the zoo's goal as a conservation leader.

The big picture: The James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests houses eight western lowland gorillas in four habitats built to mimic the animals' native environments, with vertical structures to swing, and terrain for foraging and places to build nests.

Yes, but: A common criticism of zoos is that caging animals for the enjoyment and spectacle of humans is antithetical to their natural environments.

What they're saying: "The wild is disappearing," Brookfield Zoo president and CEO Michael Adkesson told Axios.

• "For many animals, the only hope that they have is for people to understand the importance of protecting wildlife, protecting nature. And really, zoos are so uniquely positioned to be able to do that."

What's next

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Colombian Fest at Humboldt Park on July 18: Experience the vibrant colors and lively rhythms of Colombia right here in the heart of the city. From traditional dances to delicious empanadas, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Free.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Pop-punk fans looking to scratch their Warped Tour itch since the touring festival ended in 2019 should attend tomorrow's Summer School Tour.

The intrigue: The show, featuring emerging acts like Taylor Acorn, Rain City Drive and Charlotte Sands, stops at The Vic Theatre.

• Summer School embodies a similar ethos to Warped by featuring up-and-coming artists while promoting advocacy through partnerships with organizations like peta2 and Save the Music Foundation.

If you go: Tickets start at $47.

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