Flood warning issued for Lake Co. as Chain, Fox rise

Mild temperatures, melting snow and a rainy forecast are signaling some flooding concerns in far northern Lake County and southern Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning that is expected to continue until Sunday afternoon. Last weekend's warm weather has caused a massive snow melt in Illinois and Wisconsin, and temperatures could reach as high as 60 degrees today and Tuesday.

Add in thunderstorms expected overnight and Tuesday morning, and the Fox River could rise to or slightly over flood levels, officials said. Forecasters say the Fox River in New Munster, Wis. could rise to about one foot over flood stage by midnight Thursday.

That doesn't take into account rainfall expected between now and Thursday night, said Kent McKenzie, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency.

"Depending on whether the forecasts are accurate, the heaviest rains should move to the south and east of us, so we should be OK," he said. "But, we'll just have to wait and see if the forecasts are correct."

McKenzie said there is no immediate danger of flooding in northern Illinois. Officials will watch Atwater Parkway and Fox River Springs in unincorporated Antioch Township between the Chain O' Lakes and the Wisconsin border. The low-lying area is usually ground-zero for most flooding in Lake County.

Water one foot above flood stage is far less than than last June when it topped out at 5 feet above flood stage.