Chain O' Lakes should begin receding
The Chain O' Lakes seems to have crested and should begin dropping, barring any further rain, officials said today.
Officials said the Chain rose to 7 feet above normal levels - about 2 feet above flood levels - and leveled off early this morning.
With water levels at New Munster, Wis., dropping rapidly, officials said the flood waters, which have reached between 3 and 4 feet in some areas surrounding the Chain, should start to recede today.
Gauges in New Munster, Wis., show water levels are at 13.66 feet above normal, or 3.5 feet above flood stage. On Saturday, water levels in New Munster reached 15 feet above normal.
"We've actually seen the water drop a little over night, so that's a good sign," said Ed Lescher, head of the Fox Lake Emergency Services Disaster Agency. "As long as the rain stays away, we should start seeing the water go down over the next week."
Officials at the National Weather Service said there is a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms expected in the Chicago area on Wednesday, which could slow flood waters from dropping.
The Fox River from Johnsburg to Algonquin has also dropped over the past 24 hours.
Gauges recording the water level on the Fox River in Johnsburg, McHenry and Algonquin have all shown decreases of between an inch and 4 inches over the past 24 hours.
Rita Lee, water hydraulist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said water is being pushed down the river, through dams in McHenry and Algonquin, at the rate of about 5,900 cubic feet per second. More water is coming from Wisconsin at the rate of about 4,500 cubic feet per second.
In Gurnee, the Des Plaines River was expected to recede to 8.6 feet by 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. That still would be above the river's 7-foot flood stage.
Gurnee Fire Chief Fred Friedl has warned that swimming or boating in the Des Plaines River isn't allowed. Violators may be subject to penalties.
Village officials have asked businesses and homeowners in the typical flood zone east of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 132 to keep sandbags in place until they are given the OK to begin removal.
Sandbagging volunteers no longer are needed in Gurnee. Instead, the village is requesting that individuals or groups interested in assisting in cleanup efforts to call (847) 599-7010.
Lescher added that in Fox Lake, the village has talked with emergency directors for Lake County and Illinois about cleanup issues.
He is asking that people replace all drywall that was saturated in flood areas, use bleach and water to clean floors and to be on the lookout for mold and mildew that may have formed from the water.