Kane County Office of Emergency Management Director Don Bryant reported today (Tuesday, July 25, 2017) that levels of the Fox River in Algonquin finally are beginning to fall.

That does not mean, however, that residents there are out of the woods.

The National Weather Service Chicago says thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area as early as Wednesday evening and continue into Thursday as a cold front moves across the area.

“Some storms could be strong to severe with large hail and damaging wind gusts Wednesday night,” the NWS Chicago says in its Hazardous Weather Outlook report for Kane County. “Flooding will continue on many area rivers, and new rises are possible if heavy rain occurs Wednesday night.”

Bryant has issued a daily report on the status of Fox River flooding in Kane County since July 13, helping residents and emergency prepare and deal with the flood emergency.

Today’s report underlines that the Fox River remains closed to recreational watercraft, and a Flood Warning continues for the Fox River at the Algonquin tailwater affecting Kane and McHenry counties and the Fox River at Montgomery until further notice.

As of 7:15 a.m. today, the Fox River was at 13.8 feet in Montgomery, with a flood stage at 13 feet. At 7:30 a.m. in Algonquin, the river was at 12.57 feet, in “major flood” status and still 3 feet above flood stage.

“While the levels are dropping slowly, the village encourages those who have utilized sand bags or other preventative measures, to leave those measures in place until the waters have substantially receded,” the village of Algonquin said on its website.

National Weather Service predictions indicate these levels to remain in the major or moderate flood range for at least the next week.

“Notifications of the process for the village’s sand bag recovery effort will be distributed later this week,” village officials said. “This recovery effort will likely begin next week. We thank everyone for their amazing effort in assisting the people of Algonquin during this challenging event.”

Bryant said damage assessment has begun in the affected areas of Kane County and will continue throughout the week. For the affected municipalities, Disaster Impact Forms should be submitted to the Office of Emergency Management as soon as possible.

Flood Waters Contain Contaminants

Officials throughout the area are reminding residents  that flood waters can contain dangerous contaminants, and can move at a very swift rate.

“Staying away from, and out of, flood waters, creeks, detention areas, and the Fox River is requested,” the village of Algonquin said.

The Kane County Health Department offers valuable advice on keeping water safe from contamination in the wake of a flood.

Reported Road Closures

Dundee Township

• Winaki Trail from the bend to Onaway Trail
• Fox River Drive – Richardson Subdivision

East Dundee

• Duncan Avenue

West Dundee

• Lincoln Avenue between 3^rd Street and 6^th Street
• 1^st Street between Main and Lincoln Avenue
• East end of Edwards Avenue

Elgin

• Preston Avenue and Linden Avenue

St.Charles Township

• West Drive
• Tuscola Avenue
• Whispering Willows Street
• Grove Avenue

St.Charles

• Illinois Street at the bridge

Algonquin

• Beach Drive (east of Rattray Drive)
• Center Street
  
• Filip Street
• Fox River Drive
• Harrison Street (Front Street to Edward Street)
• Jayne Street
  
• La Fox River Drive (from Madison Street to Cornish Park)
• Washington Street (east of Harrison Street)
• Willow Street

Village of Montgomery

SOURCE: Kane County Office of Emergency Management,