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Road closures make it difficult commuting arround Gurnee

While Des Plaines River flooding is concentrated in one area of Gurnee, the closure of local roads and major thoroughfares is spreading.

Village officials say Route 41 is now closed in both directions between Route 21 and Delany Road. In addition, Grand Avenue/Route 132 remains shut between Route 21 and Route 41.

Locally, authorities have closed O’Plaine Road from Old Grand Avenue south to Washington Street. Most of Old Grand is closed, with local traffic allowed only east of Depot Road.

Officials said while Gurnee Fire Department Station No. 1 on Old Grand is dry and not in present danger, manpower and equipment have been moved as a precaution to police headquarters at O’Plaine and Washington. They said service won’t be disrupted and that firehouse No. 2 on Dada Drive on Gurnee’s west side is serving as temporary headquarters.

Flooding is affecting homes on Kilbourne Road and Emerald Avenue on the village’s east side. Gurnee management analyst Erik Jensen said the Des Plaines River in the village hit “major flood stage” at about 11 feet this morning and officials will continue to monitor the situation.

“At this time, the village does not require any volunteer support,” Jensen said. “The village appreciates and thanks the efforts of the roughly 70 volunteers and naval recruits who participated in sandbagging operations that began Tuesday.”

Gurnee has removed at least a dozen structures from the flood zone since 2004 to create more open space to soak up water. Protection efforts also are unnecessary for Gurnee Grade School on Kilbourne Road because it’s now vacant and scheduled to be demolished this year to provide more open space near the river.

Flooding tamer than in years past in Gurnee

Images: Heavy rain leads to suburban flooding

Volunteers fill sandbags in Gurnee

Suburbs' flooding woes might last awhile

Flood: River levels, rainfall totals, road closures

Images: Reader submitted flood photos

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