Community Corner

Barrington Area Could See Flooding

Lake County warns residents along Fox River to prepare for predicted heavy rains.

Areas along the Fox and Des Plaines Rivers are at flood stage and predicted heavy rainfall Wednesday through Thursday night will likely cause properties that have flooded before to flood again. Residents and property owners should take protective measures, such as moving belongings out of low-lying storage buildings and garages, securing piers and boats, and considering sandbagging to protect vulnerable structures.

“We’re asking people to take action now, before the water rises, and to consider the water levels that occurred in August of 2007 as a possible comparison for this event,” said Kent McKenzie, Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA).

The 2007 event resulted in major flooding along the Chain O’Lakes, Fox and Des Plaines Rivers in Lake County.

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The National Weather Service is forecasting three to four inches of rain to fall over the county potentially causing interruptions to sump pumps, wells, and transportation routes. Communities along the rivers are preparing sandbags and alerting floodprone property owners to prepare for potential high water. The Fox Waterway Agency has issued no-wake restrictions on the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes meaning boats are not allowed to travel at speeds faster than 5 m.p.h.

The County’s Public Works Department has inspected the condition of the North Libertyville Estates Levee along with operation of all pumps and controls to insure optimum function during this rain event. Interior nuisance flooding can still be expected within the levee area because of expected storm intensity and residents are asked to move belongings out of low lying areas.

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Intense rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms are expected over the next several days. Locally, heavy rain may cause flooded streets and roads, even in areas that do not typically flood. Motorists who encounter a flooded roadway should remember the safety slogan, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, LCEMA, and local, state, and regional partners are monitoring flood conditions.

Visit the Alert Lake County Flood Information Web Page
http://alertlakecounty.com/response/flood.aspx for specific information related to preparing and responding to a flood.

For Road Information Visit Lake County Passage Web Page  
Heavy rain can cause flooding of roads or streets, and motorists should use caution during and after storms. The most up-to-date travel and roadway information is available from the Lake County Division of Transportation PASSAGE system, on-line at http://www.lakecountypassage.com, through highway advisory radio at 1620 AM, or via the free I-Phone and Android smart-phone applications.

Submitted by Lake County.


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