The National Weather Service in has issued a flood watch for the Des Plaines River from near Riverside to near Lyons.
The watch is in effect until Thursday afternoon, as flooding is possible because of an ice jam on the river.
An ice jam is a blockage of ice that restricts the flow of water and causes water levels to rise upstream.
According to the NWS, river gauges indicated a developing ice jam on the Des Plaines River near Riverside and Lyons at 11:45 AM CST Tuesday.
The river gauge at Riverside indicated a stage of 6.9 feet, which is close to the flood stage of 7.5 feet.
The NWS forecasts that water levels may continue to rise as ice accumulates on the ice jam.
Flooding of overbank areas along the river is possible by later today, impacting low-lying areas such as forest preserve and park land. The ice jam now extends from near McCook upstream through Lyons and Riverside to near Salt Creek.
However, no homes or businesses have been affected by the Des Plaines River jam yet.
According to the NWS definition there are four types of warnings: flash flood warning, flood warning, flood advisory and flood watch. The flood watch is the lowest of warnings and means that conditions are favorable for flooding, but it does not mean that flooding will occur.
Director of public safety Matt Buckley said that they will continue to monitor the ice damming and will notify residents if there are increases to the river levels.
However, residents and visitors in the area should be prepared and take precautions to protect themselves and their property from potential flood damage.
The American Red Cross recommends the following steps to prepare for a flood:
- Know your flood risk and check the local flood maps.
- Make a flood emergency plan and have an evacuation route and destination ready.
- Build or restock your emergency kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Store important documents in a safe, dry place or a watertight safety deposit box.
- Elevate and anchor your critical utilities, such as electrical panels, water heaters, and appliances.
- Clear debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid water accumulation.
- Elevate or move your furniture and valuables to a higher floor or a safe place.
- Turn off water and utilities before evacuating, and avoid flood waters and fallen power lines.
- Stay alert and follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services.
For more information and updates on the Flood Watch, visit the National Weather Service website or call 1-800-621-FEMA.
