Significant River Flooding Continues

Significant rain came down over much of northern Illinois late Friday night and early Saturday morning with many locations receiving anywhere from two to four inches.  This caused roads to become flooded and washed away in Stephenson County, and rivers to quickly rise.

Flood Warnings continue for the Rock, Pecatonica and Kishwaukee Rivers as many points along the river have reached moderate

flood stage, with some running close to major flood stage.  Additional rainfall Sunday evening/night will lead to another half an inch, up to another inch and a half, of rain falling over those river basins.  Due to the already saturated soils, the majority of the rain will runoff causing even more flooding, possibly flash flooding, through Monday morning.

Along the Rock River at Latham Park it's possible for the crest to come close to the record crest of 14.3 feet.  The current river level at Latham Park is 13.21ft, with a crest height forecast to 13.3ft sometime this week.  The Rock River at Byron will also come within two feet of its record crest of 17.5ft set back in April of 1973.  Current river stage at Byron is 15.28ft.  

The heaviest rain axis shifts west Monday afternoon and Tuesday, but the arrival of a cold front will bring back the potential for more heavy rainfall Wednesday afternoon.

For a list of current river stages and the expected crest height and date, visit the National Weather Service Advanced Hyrdrologic Prediction Service page.