NWS: Major severity flood warning for IL River, here’s what you need to know

Observations courtesy of US Army Corps of Engineers . NOTE: River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

CHICAGO – Forecast flooding for the Illinois River has changed from moderate to major severity affecting multiple counties. According to the National Weather Service the flood warning continues for Grundy, LaSalle, Putnam and Bureau counties. In Ottawa water reached the top of the Levee at Ottawa High School, causing an early dismissal, Wednesday.
In addition, water has inundated lower-levels of residences at Heritage Harbor east of Ottawa and structures are threatened at Shoreline Boat Club. Water overtops the berm at Ottawa’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. The west parking lot of St. Elizabeth Medical Center is inundated as well. Backwater caused the Fox River to flood the YMCA parking lot along with Allen Park’s west boat ramp.
According to Captain Dustin of Ottawa’s River Rescue Squad, as of 12:30 p.m. the river is at 466 ft, causing minor flooding. Captain Dustin says currently, the river is forecast to crest Friday morning at 471 ft. If so, the river rescue facility will be infiltrated in about a foot of water.
In LaSalle, the weather service says the water pumping station property is threatened along with structures near the river in downtown LaSalle. The lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park is infiltrated east of LaSalle. Agricultural areas in La Salle, Spring Valley, and Peru lowlands are flooded. Water Street is threatened in Peru along with Dee Bennett Road between Ottawa and Utica.