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Flood warning issued for Des Plaines River at Riverside
By BOB UPHUES
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning to Riverside, with computer models predicting that the Des Plaines River may overflow its banks some time today. Flood warnings have been issued up and down the Des Plaines River as far north as Gurnee.
In Riverside, the NWS has predicted that the Des Plaines will crest at 7.3 feet. The figure is an improvement over earlier predictions, which had put the crest at 8.6 feet. The worst flood Riverside ever experienced was on Aug. 15, 1987, when the river crested at 9.9 feet.
At 7.3 feet, residents can expect park areas, such as Swan Pond and Indian Gardens to be inundated with water. Water will also flood into forest preserve areas adjacent to the river and could threaten some residences on West Avenue and Maplewood Road.
"Things still look OK," said Fire Chief Kevin Mulligan. "The banks aren't overflowing yet. They expect the river to crest tomorrow morning at 7 a.m."
Jim Allsopp, a meteorologist with the NWS, said the area may experience some more rainfall overnight, but that it is not expected to be heavy.
"At this time we're not anticipating any heavy rainfall," Allsopp said. "There are some more thunderstorms over western Iowa. We should be OK for the rest of the afternoon and evening."
As of 10 a.m., the level of the Des Plaines River at Riverside was 5.71 feet. Allsopp said that while the rain has stopped for now, waters will continue to rise.
Fire Chief Kevin Mulligan will give a report of conditions and expectations at tonight's Riverside village board meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road.
