More than 400 buildings affected by flooding

Lake County emergency officials said more than 400 structures have been affected or damaged by 10 days of flooding on the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River.

Kent McKenzie, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, said 103 homes and businesses have sustained structural damage from the flooding that started June 9.

Another 305 structures have water up to or in crawlspaces, wells or septic systems, or surrounding their property, McKenzie said Friday.

"It's a little less than what we expected when we first started looking everything over," he said. "But, this is a preliminary assessment only at this point. There are a couple of areas we want to get into to review and determine if there are more houses damaged."

The preliminary assessment started Wednesday, and included walking tours by county officials and a helicopter flyover of flooded areas.

The announcement comes as the National Weather Service is predicting rain for this weekend.

Floodwater has receded about 2 inches on the Chain and about 4 inches on the Fox River north of the Chain since the area crested Wednesday.

Any additional rain would slow the drop in water levels, officials said.

Regardless of the weather, Fox Waterway Agency officials said the system remains closed to all boats through the weekend because of debris and other obstructions.

Among the hazards are runaway floating bogs that have been breaking free from shorelines all week. In addition, officials said there are as large trees, piers and shore stations that are floating free throughout the lakes.

Chain water levels are 2 and a half feet over flood stage, and about 18 inches over the point where homes in Fox Lake, Antioch, Antioch Township and Grant Township become damaged.

About 500 homes in northwestern Lake County have been damaged in the flood, or have standing water on their property.

The National Weather Service says the river south of the Chain is about 8 inches over flood stage in Algonquin, though receding quickly.

Lake County and other local governments plan to meet Thursday with businesses affected by the floods. The meeting is 2 to 4 p.m. at Antioch Golf Club on Route 59.