It's just a mess along the Fox

Penny Gebhardt battled a rising Fox River on Friday the only way she could -- with three able-bodied grandkids and a sump pump that was working overtime.

"Obviously, it's a mess," Gebhardt said of her backyard along Route 25.

Broken tree limbs spotted Gebhardt's yard, while lawn furniture poked out from a river now nearly flush with her foundation. The boat house had flooded hours ago, and the garage was wet, too.

"There are so many people in worse shape than we are," she said, though, remaining positive. "So I'm trying to stay calm. It could be worse."

Gebhardt's grandchildren made numerous trips to raid a sand pile up the street at Langum Park. Back at the house, family friend Dennis Marquis wore hip waders as he hauled the sand in a red wagon, then piled it in a line around the property.

Up and down Route 25 and on parts of Route 31 in St. Charles, this was the case.

At the least, nearly every backyard facing the river was flooded, and some residents reported rain-soaked basements, living rooms and garages as the dividing line between river and neighborhood disappeared.

One of the worst areas was just south of Langum Park.

Marty Kamysz tracked the rising water level at the home of a friend who was out of town. On Friday, a log bobbing a couple dozen feet away from the back door was a simple reminder of how quickly the river was creeping -- now that it was all the way up to the house.

Kamysz, who lives across the street, and his brother-in-law, Brian Lane of South Elgin, worked quickly to line the property with sandbags.

They already had removed an antique car from the first-floor garage and planned to pull expensive boating equipment next.

Kamysz, who works in construction and home remodeling, said the men would probably check on neighbors later in the day to see if anyone needed furniture moved.

"I was planning to be on a job today, but that's not happening," Kamysz said. "I figure I might as well help out around here."