FLOOD STATEMENT FROM THE STEPHENSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Winslow
The
Pecatonica River level at Martintown, WI is 11.40 feet as of 1445 Hours. The flood stage is 13.5 feet. The river is
expected to crest near or at 14.6 feet on Saturday the 20th. We are not anticipating major road closures at
this time. This crest prediction takes
into account anticipated rainfall for the next 24hours. More or less rainfall can change the crest
prediction.
Freeport
The
Pecatonica River level at Freeport is at 12.94 feet, flood stage is 13.00
feet. At
11:00 A.M. the National Weather Service forecast a crest of 15.00 on Friday the
19th. Freeport Streets
located off of IL Rt. 75 East from Henderson St to the east will be impacted
with water on the roadways. Some
streets have been closed and persons living in the area, along with business in
the area, should look at alternation routes for traveling to and from home or
work. Flooding will occur in the Third
and McCurg Street area, North Henderson Road, and Hancock Street from E.
Stephenson St south to the bridge. Also
the intersection of Van Buren and Lancaster Road, just north of Freeport, is
closed.
County Roads
Most
roads throughout the county, near rivers and streams will remain closed due to water
on the roadways. The heavy rains of this
morning and early afternoon did not cause our feeder streams to leave their
banks at this time. Yellow Creek at
Pearl City is within its banks. The same
goes for the Richland and Rock Run Creeks.
Drivers should still
be alert for water on the roadway near streams and low lying areas. Drivers are advised to turn around and
…don’t drown. It only takes two feet of
water to float most vehicles…including sport utility vehicles.
Sheltering
If
evacuations become necessary due to rising flood waters, the Northwest Illinois
Chapter will open an American Red Cross shelters in Pearl City and Freeport. Please listen to the local radio and
television stations or check the local newspaper for shelter locations. Meals would be available at the shelter.
In
the event of shelters opening, you should bring identification which shows your
residence (or utility bill), any
medicines needed by members of your family, feeding formulas for infants, a
pillow and blanket for each member of your family, and a change of
clothing. Family pets are not allowed in
Red Cross Shelters due to Public Health requirements. Families with pets living in areas where
evacuation may be needed should make prior arrangements to house their pets and
not leave the pets behind in the house or on the property.
Impending
Weather System
The
latest information our office has from the National Weather Service is a
forecast for heavy rain (The NWS defines heavy rain as .5 inches or more) for
Wednesday night and early Thursday morning and afternoon. Friday’s & Saturday’s forecast is for
cooler temperatures and dry.
The Weekend
The
forecast for the weekend looks good for Saturday with the possibility of some
rain on Sunday which should have little impact on the Pecatonica River or
Yellow Creek river basins.
Health Issues
Those
people living in low lying areas or areas prone to flooding are urged to get
their wells tested. High water tables
could contaminate well water if there is a break in the well casing. Water test kits can be obtained from the
Stephenson County Environmental Health Department located at 295 W. Lamm Road,
Freeport.
Sand Bag
Locations
Residents
who live within the City of Freeport
will find sand and sandbags located in the Tutty’s Crossing Parking Lot at
Stephenson and Liberty Streets and the Freeport Park District maintenance
building located in Krape Park to the north of the band shell.
Residents
who live in Stephenson County can
call 815-599-0344 for sandbags. Be
prepared to advise how many bags will be needed. At this time no sand is available.
Contact Points
Persons
living within the City of Freeport should call 815-235-8222, the Freeport
Police Department, with questions.
Persons
living outside the City of Freeport should call 815-235-8252, the Stephenson
County Sheriff’s Agency, or the Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency
at 815-599-0344 with questions. Those individuals with internet access can go
to www.stcoema.org for further
information.
An
update to this statement will be forthcoming Thursday Morning.
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