Be mindful and exercise caution when driving the back roads, especially in the west end of Cook County. The area was hit with a substantial amount of rain, six to eight inches, mid-June (14th-17th), with the most severe downpour occurring on Tuesday, June 18. This has led to the closure of some roads and numerous washouts that pose a significant risk to your vehicle. As of July 3, the Superior National Forest had to shut down 22 roads. For the latest information on road closures, please visit the Superior National Forest Website. Check the Alerts section for updates. Staff photos Brian Larsen