Swollen river a threat

Homes near the rain-swollen Des Plaines River escaped relatively unscathed from the weekend's storms, but forecasts of showers for days still to come make their ultimate fate uncertain.

The river had reached 6½ feet by mid-afternoon Monday and was projected at crest at 7.4 feet at 1 a.m. this morning. Most homes near the river -- barring a garage or two on Big Bend Drive in Des Plaines -- are typically not affected unless the river reaches 8½ feet.

Projections of the river level take into account forecasts of continued rain, but only for the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service Monday forecast the possibility of more rain every day through Saturday.

But Northwest suburban officials said the lack of severe problems so far is largely due to the rain falling in periodic waves.

"It's a lot better than a steady rainfall," Des Plaines Director of Engineering Tim Oakley said.

Still, projections of the river level near some Des Plaines neighborhoods saw steady improvement throughout the day Monday.

At 8 a.m. Monday, workers began placing sandbags at Big Bend Drive and Hawthorn Lane, at the end of Junior Terrace and at the end of the Big Bend Drive cul-de-sac, based upon then current projections of the river cresting at 8.8 feet.

By late afternoon, sandbags also had been placed at Mill Street, Birchwood Avenue and the intersection of Stewart Avenue and River Drive.

Oakley said a gauge in Gurnee indicated the river level was flattening before noon, evidence that it might do the same in Des Plaines.

The sandbags were kept in place as a precautionary measure, however, as officials continued to closely monitor the river level and rain forecast.

Des Plaines residents should watch cable channel 17 for more details and direct any questions or concerns to the Emergency Management Agency at (847) 391-5396.

In nearby Prospect Heights, some parking lots experienced deep water, but only one residential street -- Owen Court -- was barricaded to keep visitors out of unnecessary difficulty, City Administrator Pam Arrigoni said.

No houses actually experienced any interior flooding.

"We're holding our own," Arrigoni said.

Other Northwest suburban communities reported minor problems from the rain.

Problems at a few houses in Schaumburg were related more to clogged sewers than the amount of rain, Director of Engineering and Public Works Steve Weinstock said.

Willow Stream Park in Buffalo Grove was under water at noon Monday, which isn't unusual since it's designed to collect excess water.

Barrington-Inverness police said there'd been some minor sewer flooding at Russell and Summit streets in Barrington, but that cleared up in the morning.