Persistent Rainfall Intensifies Flooding Concerns Along Des Plaines River, Fox River, and Chain O’Lakes in Lake County

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — As the weekend unfolds, residents of Lake County, Illinois, are grappling with mounting flood concerns following Friday night’s significant rainfall. The county’s officials have flagged the Des Plaines River, Fox River, and Chain O’Lakes as being particularly vulnerable to the rising waters.

On Friday, Chopper 7 captured aerial views of the Fox River in unincorporated Antioch, where flooding had already begun to take a toll. Similar scenes were observed in Lincolnshire, with the Des Plaines River anticipated to reach its peak over the weekend. Though the skies have since cleared, anxiety persists that the river’s levels may continue to swell.

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In the north suburban village of Lincolnshire, residents are cautiously optimistic. Some, like those residing along Oxford Drive, have narrowly avoided the encroaching floodwaters, a relief after memories of the 2017 deluge remain vivid. “The last time it flooded was in 2017, and all these roads were underwater. The river reached about 16 feet then,” recalled Ludwig Smith, a neighborhood resident.

Despite the reprieve, attention remains fixated on the Des Plaines River, particularly as parts of Lincolnshire Drive and Londonderry Lane are submerged. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing construction, complicating efforts to manage the flooding effectively.

“The last time it flooded it was 2017, and that’s what all these roads were underwater, and I think they said that river made it up to 16 feet high,” neighborhood resident Ludwig Smith said.

Many eyes are still on the Des Plaines River in the north suburb after a large stretch of Lincolnshire Drive and Londonderry Lane was under flood water, made worse because of ongoing construction.

Pumps to remove rain runoff will remain in place throughout the weekend in areas along the Des Plaines River that are prone to flood.

Meanwhile, local and county officials say they are monitoring river levels, which are close to cresting and could cause major flooding.

“Yeah, things aren’t great right now, they are gonna get a little worse the waters are gonna get a little higher,” said Brian Frank, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission chief engineer “Thankfully there’s usually some lead time with rivering flooding. The rivering flooding is typically in Lake County days, so be prepared.”

The village’s public works department is providing sandbags to anyone who wants them.

The Des Plaines River is expected to crest in this area at about 15 feet either sometime over the weekend or even Monday.

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