Volunteers fill sandbags in Gurnee

Volunteers filling sandbags today in Gurnee say they just want to be neighborly in trying to help those looking to fend off Des Plaines River floodwater in a pocket of the village’s east side.

Water pushed east from the river to near where Emerald Avenue meets Old Grand Avenue in what’s known as Gurnee’s village center. Gurnee police have closed Route 132 in the area, sending eastbound traffic down O’Plaine Road to Washington Street.

Gurnee residents Mark Horvat, Eric Sindermann and David Gonzales were among the smattering of volunteers filling sandbags outside the main entrance to Viking Middle School on Old Grand Avenue.

Horvat said he took the day off from his job in Niles and figured he’d try to help his community.

“My basement is doing good, but you call around to friends and family and neighbors to make sure they’re doing OK and such,” Horvat said while breaking briefly from his sand duties. “Coming out (to help) wherever you can.”

Sindermann said he went to the middle school because he would want someone to assist him in a flood if he needed it.

At a news conference in Libertyville, Gurnee officials said special passes must be obtained from the village for anyone who wants to reach homes on flooded Kilbourne Road and Emerald Avenue.