Algonquin on the far north end of Kane County (red dot) and Montgomery on the south (orange dot) are experiencing flooding as of 3 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017. (CREDIT: NWS Chicago)

The village of Algonquin has proclaimed a state of disaster, and the Kane County Office of Emergency Management is distributing sandbags to mitigate the present and expected flooding of the Fox River in several Kane County communities and rural subdivisions.

The Algonquin Tailwater is expect to crest at 13.5 feet.

Kane County Office of Emergency Management Director Don Byrant said this morning (Thursday, July 13, 2017) that the river in Algonquin is expected to reach major flood stage late Monday or early Tuesday.

“What that means is we’ll see residential areas along the Fox that have a flooding situation,” he said. “The best thing people can do is start moving things out of the basement to a higher place in the home. I live along the river, and I moved everything up, 2 to 3 feet (off the floor.)”

According to the National Weather Service Chicago, the Fox is overflowing its banks in two areas in Kane County as of 2:30 p.m. today: “moderate flooding” at the Algonquin tailwater at the northern border of Kane County and “minor flooding” the Fox River in Montgomery.

The Fox River in Montgomery is expected to crest at 14 feet.

The flooding is expected to get worse.

NWS Chicago charts show the river will peak at 13.5 feet — a foot-and-a-half above the 12-foot “major flood” threshold — by Tuesday, July 18, in Algonquin. By that same date, the river is expected to crest at 14 feet in Montgomery, just above the “moderate flood” level, but a foot below “major flood.”

Bryant emphasized that those predictions are subject to change.

“It’s important to stay aware of the status of the river,” he said. “Check your area’s local media releases, your municipality’s websites and social media pages and the National Weather Service Chicago for updated information. And of course, call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.”

• Click here for links to Kane County municipal websites.

The Office of Emergency Management and its team of volunteers have been working around the clock to distribute sandbags to communities including Algonquin, East Dundee and South Elgin. The OEM also has established a sandbag stockpile at the Kane County Division of Transportation headquarters, 41-W-011 Burlington Road.

Unincorporated areas of the county that are of particular concern for residential flooding include the Valley View subdivision just north of St. Charles and the Richardson Subdivision in Dundee Township, Bryant said.

Algonquin’s emergency proclamation went into effect at 10 a.m. today and expires July 21, unless extended by the Algonquin Village Board.

The Algonquin Summer Concerts on July 13 and July 20 have been cancelled.

Algonquin crews enacted 24-hour staffing today and are filling and delivering sandbags to the locations below as soon as they become available.

“We are experiencing high demand for sandbags and will be working through the overnight hours to keep up,” officials said on the village’s website.

Dangerous areas for driving include:

• LaFox River Drive at Cornish Park
• Center Street at IL Route 31
• Filip Road at END
• Beach Drive at Rattray Drive
• Oceola Drive at Hubbard Street

Residents with questions regarding the flooding event and most current forecasts may visit the village website or connect with the village on social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, Nixle).

Algonquin’s Proclamation