Preliminary Rain Totals

Five inches of rain in 24 hours is a major rain event.  That’s what many towns in the listening got with this historic storm.

According to the National Weather Service, between Wednesday and Thursday morning, over 5.5 inches fell in Ottawa with well over 5 inches in Princeton, Oglesby, Sheridan, La Salle, Mendota and Marseilles.  Peru, Seneca, Hennepin, Streator and Utica all had around 4.5 inches of fresh rain.

Suburbs like Aurora and Naperville got well over 6 inches of rain according to the weather service.

School Friday at Waltham North campus only

With the flooding problems in Utica, you might be wondering about school in the Waltham District. According to Superintendent Robert Abney, Waltham will have school Friday. All students will be bused to the North campus. Abney’s said if your child can’t attend due to relocation or another issue, please call the District office at 667-4417. Though flooding should not occur at the South campus, there could be issues with the sewage system. If events worsen, parents will be notified of any school schedule changes.

Record-setting flooding predicted for Illinois River

Flooding along the Illinois River could set a new record.  The National Weather Service reports that the river at La Salle is expected to crest between 35 and 37 feet by early Saturday morning.  The Weather Service said it was ten feet over flood stage at 8:45pm Thursday. 

A Flood Warning is in place.  The record high for La Salle was 33.79 feet set in September of 2008.  During that flood, water forced to closures of Routes 89, 251, 351, and 178 at the Illinois River bridges.  It also left two local sewerage plants underwater and left Central School in Ottawa unusable.

Utica braces for more flooding

First it was Clark’s Creek and now it’s the Illinois River.  Utica Village employees were moving items from the village hall Thursday afternoon as they brace for record flooding from the Illinois River.

People living south of the I & M Canal, east of Route 178 are encouraged to evacuate their homes.  The same goes for people living on the west side of Route 178 on low-lying areas of Washington Street, including the Willows.

During the last severe flood to hit Utica in 2008, the village hall stayed dry but they were not taking chances this time.

The Red Cross has a shelter set up in the gym at IVCC.

 

Flooding affecting area roads

“Road Closed” signs are posted almost anywhere there’s water.  Some of the more well-traveled roads and bridges affected by flooding include the Sandy Ford Bridge over the Vermilion River, Canal Road on the west edge of Marseilles, Water Street in Peru, and the Route 89 hill in Putnam County.

Many other roads were affected by flooding.  Use caution when driving and watch out for standing water and debris.

Ottawa’s Main Street Bridge will be closed due to flooding

The rising Fox River is causing concern in Ottawa, so much so that the city is closing the Main Street bridge at 10pm Thursday.  They’re worried that the east side of town will be cut off by flood waters.

If you live in that area of town you’re encouraged to make plans to stay someplace else but an evacuation is not mandatory.

Firefighters and equipment will be stationed on the east side.

Friday’s classes at Ottawa High School have been cancelled and Green Street was closed earlier Thursday.

City officials were also asking for volunteers to fill sandbags to be placed at the wastewater treatment plant west of Allen Park.  They plan to work throughout the evening and night.  Volunteers were meeting at Hill Street across from the sewage plant.

La Salle County Nursing Home Evacuated

The Illinois River is rising quickly and evacuation of the La Salle County Nursing Home is underway.

La Salle County Chairman Jerry Hicks says Nursing Home Director Chris Csernus is working to the phones to find places for people in the nursing home to stay. Hicks says they’ve also reached out to hospitals to see if they may be able to accommodate some from the nursing home.  There are over 60 residents in the nursing home.

Hicks says the evacuation can only go as fast as there are paramedics available to transfer people from the nursing home.

“Blue Tie Affair” to benefit YSB

You can help prevent child abuse by wearing your best blues and going to a fundraiser for the Youth Service Bureau.

The YSB’s 1^st annual “Blue Tie Affair” is Saturday at the Knights of Columbus in Ottawa.  YSB Development Director Nan Butler says this event replaces the annual “Bids for Kids” at JJ’s Pub because they outgrew the location.

While she doesn’t have a fundraising goal, Butler acknowledges this fundraiser is very important to the YSB.

Doors open this Saturday at 6.  For $35 a person you get food and live music.  There is also a live auction, raffles, and a cash bar.

Tickets will be available at the door.  You can also get them now by following a link on the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Trailer Park Evacuated In Utica Because Of Flooding

Flooding has been causing problems for Utica since before sunrise Thursday.  People living in a trailer court along Clark’s Creek left their homes with the help of a water rescue team.  The creek, which is prone to flooding, was nearing its banks late this morning.

Village President Fred Esmond says debris causes a backup by a train tussle.

Volunteers with the Red Cross have set up a shelter at Illinois Valley Community College’s gym where people put out by the flooding can go for food and a place to stay.  It will be open through Friday.

And volunteers with the La Salle County Historical Society are working to remove items from the museum’s flooded basement.

Flash flooding and standing water causing problems on area roads

Showers and possibly thunderstorms will continue through the afternoon across the Illinois Valley and that means flooding issues.

A Flash Flood Warning for urban areas and small streams including La Salle County is in place until 8pm Thursday.  Storms were dumping rain at a rate of an inch to an inch and a half per hour.

Many roads and highways were affected by standing water and flooding including  the Route 89 hill in Putnam County.  That road will remain closed until further notice because of mud and debris that was washed onto the road.

The heavy rainfall has also caused the Illinois River to flood.  The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Illinois River at La Salle and Ottawa.  As of late Thursday morning, the river at La Salle was more than 7 feet over flood stage and is predicted to crest Friday morning, possibly setting a new record.  Moderate flooding is already happening.