Online flood map a successful tool in Naperville

As cleanup continues, Naperville officials have begun to assess both the damage and response to local flooding over the past 48 hours.

Already deemed a success was the city’s conversion of it’s online winter snow plowing map into a continuously updated map highlighting flooded and closed streets throughout the city.

“We’ve already received more than 41,000 hits on that map so we’re happy it has proved to be a valuable source to the community,” said spokeswoman Linda LaCloche. “People are using it and staying safe as they get to and from.”

Early analysis also shows the city likely closed the Washington Street Bridge too early at about 6 p.m. Thursday causing long backups.

“We closed it too early and had to reopen and then re-close it later,” she said. “Looking back, we probably should have left it open. We’re just looking out for everyone’s safety and trying to make the best decisions for everyone.”