Des Plaines, Fox rivers at flood stage; wind advisory until 7 p.m.
The Des Plaines and Fox rivers are at minor flood stage this morning but are expected to crest and fall back to normal levels over the weekend, the National Weather Service is reporting.
The Des Plaines River is predicted to reach 16 feet later Thursday before leveling out Friday. The river is expected to slowly drop out of the danger area Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service is reporting. The Des Plaines River currently sits at 15.5-feet.
Minor flood levels on the Des Plaines River begin at 15-feet. At 16-feet, roads in forest preserves near the Des Plaines River begin to flood, and river water reaches into backyards on Big Bend Road.
Minor flood levels are also expected along the Des Plaines River in Gurnee, where the river will top out at 8.5 feet later Thursday. That water level puts the river at minor flood stage, about six inches shy of reaching homes in low-lying areas.
The Fox River is also expected to reach the minor flood stage due to the heavy rains experienced this week in Illinois and Wisconsin.
River gages in New Munster, Wisconsin, have the river topping out at 11.8 feet Saturday afternoon. That water will then make its way down to the Chain O' Lakes near Fox Lake, before moving out of the system south through the Fox River, eventually reaching Algonquin then Elgin.
The Fox River south of the Chain O' Lakes is currently at no wake status. No wake means boats are allowed to go on the river but not able to travel at more that 5 mph in order to prevent the boat from creating a wake. The Chain O' Lakes is not restricted.
The National Weather Service is predicting the Fox River in Algonquin will reach 9.5 feet Saturday, putting it into minor flood stage. At that level, there is flooding in some low lying yards in Holiday Hills and yard flooding on Grove Street in Valley View.
The forecast calls for some rain and a possibility of snow early Thursday but moving out of the immediate area around noon. Temperatures will reach a high of 46 degrees Thursday.
The National Weather Service canceled a high wind warning at 9:20 a.m., but a wind advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Officials are predicting sustained northwest winds of 20 mph to 30 mph with gusts of 40 mph to 50 mph. The impacts of the high winds could result in damage to trees, power lines and personal property. Driving could be difficult for high-profile vehicles.
High winds caused major delays and cancellations at O'Hare International Airport, according to flightstats.com. More than 250 flights were canceled and some flights were more than 30 minutes delayed, the airport reported. Midway International Airport had not reported delays.
A Lake Michigan flood warning will remain in effect until 1 a.m. Friday due to the high winds. The wind has the potential to build waves of 12 feet to 16 feet.
Staff writer Chacour Koop contributed to this report.