Apr 11, 2008 5:58 pm US/Central
Flood Warning Remains For 3 Area Rivers
Levels Continue To Rise On Des Plaines, Fox And Kankakee Rivers
(CBS)
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Parts of northern Illinois, including Elgin, are under a flash flood watch as river levels rise and rain continues.
CBS
A major storm system has local rivers rising, and flood warnings have been issued for the Fox, Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers.
The flood warning is in effect for the Fox River at Algonquin, the Des Plaines River at Russell and Gurnee, and the Kankakee River in Shelby, Ind. Flood advisories have been issued at several other locations along the rivers.
People who live along the Des Plaines, Fox and Kankakee rivers are worried Friday night, watching as the rivers spill closer and closer to their homes.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports flooding has already claimed some areas across Des Plaines. Perhaps the community hardest hit by the rising river in Des Plaines is the Big Bend area. The houses there line the river and portions of many of the backyards are under water.
Blase Mnich has only lived in the area with his family for a couple of years, but he's already experienced one bad flood last year, and he's hoping he doesn't have to go through another.
"We're not so much concerned about the river flooding the house, but it knocks the power out and then the pump stops and that's how the basement floods," Mnich said.
It's the combination of recent rains and a winter of heavy snow that's causing the river to rise.
Forty-two years of living by the river has taught homeowner Herb Hapke to keep an eye on it.
"When it gets to the maple tree we start worrying," Hapke said. "Anxious wait, that's about what it is. Another two inches of rain would cause a real problem, you know."
If there are problems, the city is ready.
"Today we're in a state of vigilance," said Des Plaines City Manager Jason Bajor. "Fortunately we're in a state of watch, not doing any sort of active response to the river."
But if they're needed, thousands of sand bags are in the garage and a machine that fills 1,600 bags an hour is standing by.
Heavy rains are moving closely by bridges in South Elgin and inching toward homes dotting the banks.
"You initially get scared," said South Elgin resident Sondra O'Connor. "You just keep watching it."
O'Connor has lived along the Fox River for 20 years. She's watched the waters creep past her dock and closer to her home, and has 50 sandbags ready just in case.
The flood warnings remain in effect until further notice.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker in Des Plaines contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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