National Weather Service warns of flooding along Des Plaines River
As heavy rains poured down on the region throughout the day, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the entire Chicago area Sunday and warned of rising waters along the Des Plaines River in Lake and Cook counties.
The river was reported at about 16.8 feet Sunday evening in Des Plaines, above its 15-foot flood stage.
The weather service said the river will continue rising to almost 19 feet by tonight, approaching major flood stage and threatening both Central and Golf roads in Des Plaines.
Near Lincolnshire, the river was measured at 13.7 feet Sunday evening and is expected to crest at 15.4 feet Tuesday morning, just below what's considered major flood stage.
In Gurnee, the river was at 8.5 feet Sunday night, 1.5 feet above flood stage.
It is forecast to reach 10.5 feet by Tuesday morning, nearly major flood level.
The Fox River at the Stratton Lock and Dam in McHenry was at 4.8 feet Sunday, above the 4-foot flood level.
At Algonquin, the river was measured Sunday at just under 11 feet, above flood stage at 9.5, and is forecast to crest at 11.9 feet tonight.
Buffalo Creek in Wheeling measured slightly above the 4.5-foot flood stage at 4.78 feet.
In St. Charles, the Illinois St. Bridge and the Indiana St. Pedestrian Bridge remain closed. Both were closed Friday due to rising waters. Traffic is being diverted to the Prairie St. Bridge and the Main St. Bridge.
In DuPage County, the West Branch of the DuPage River near Warrenville measured just slightly above the 11.5-foot flood stage.
Several towns reported flood-related road closures, including in Bartlett, where Munger Road between Stearns Road and Forest Preserve Drive is closed.
Wauconda officials announced that Bangs Lake is closed, stating that water levels have reached 17 inches above normal and were still rising.
The city of Wood Dale said DuPage Stormwater Management has been operating the flood control reservoir in response to flood conditions at Salt Creek.