City provides update on current flooding status in Naperville

Flash Flood Warning In Effect Throughout Naperville until 5:30 p.m.

City of Naperville personnel continue to monitor the effects of the heavy rainstorm the City experienced overnight and this morning. The City has closed the sidewalks along the river in the downtown and continues to urge residents to please stay away from the rapidly moving waters. A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for the Naperville area through 5:30 p.m. and a Flash Flood Watch is in effect from midnight tonight through Friday morning.

The city was notified late this morning that DuPage County has activated the Fawell Dam to assist with high flows on the West Branch of the DuPage River. Operation of the dam must follow the protocol approved by the State of Illinois, which establishes the amount of the gate opening based on the height of the water upstream of the dam. If upstream levels rise higher, then the gates may be opened more.

“The precipitation we experienced last night saw the largest rain totals to the south of Naperville,” City Engineer Bill Novack said. “This is good news in that the largest rain totals are downstream of the city, versus upstream. The City will continue to work with the County and monitor the Fawell Dam operation. Much of the dam's future operation and rise of the river in Naperville will depend on what precipitation the City sees through the evening and into tomorrow.”

The City will make sand and sandbags available to residents if conditions warrant as determined by City officials. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to the NOAA Weather Radio and the National Weather Service website http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/. Precipitation is expected through the overnight hours and throughout Friday.

“We continue to urge parents to keep their children away from storm drains, ditches, retention ponds, rivers and other bodies of water,” Community Relations Manager Nadja Lalvani said. “We anticipate the level of the DuPage River to remain elevated for some time. Please exercise caution in and around the Riverwalk.”

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