More Evacuations West of Des Plaines River as It Reaches Record High

Update 5:38 p.m. on April 19:

From the City of Des Plaines:

According to the National Weather Service's Report of 3:45 PM, Friday, April 19, 2013, the Des Plaines River near Des Plaines is at flood stage 10.92 feet.  The river is expected to crest at 11 feet at 7 PM, today, Friday, April 19, 2013 (Flood action stage is 5.0 feet). 

The Des Plaines Police Department reminds residents that flood waters are extremely dangerous. Pedestrians and motorists should not remove barricades, nor should they go around barricades. Walking in flood waters poses health and safety issues.  Motorists are advised to observe detour signs and whenever possible to use major east/west routes such as Touhy Avenue and Northwest Highway.        

Public Works has deployed sandbagging equipment at locations listed below and is continuing to drop off sandbags and sand.  Public Works has also deployed jersey barriers along sections of Des Plaines River Road.

Sand Bag Locations (machine, sand and sandbags)

Hawthorne Lane/Rand Road

Christ Church, Henry Avenue and Cora Street

Howard Avenue and Cedar Street

The below locations have sand and sandbags only:

Woodland Avenue and Grove

Dawn Court and Ballard Road

Apple Creek Lane and Busse Highway

River Road and Stewart Avenue

River Road and Shagbark Drive

Locust Street and Riverview Avenue

Welwyn Avenue and Birch Street

Cedar Street and Fargo Avenue

Willow Avenue and Graceland Avenue

Update, 4:50 p.m. on April 19:

There are only two east-west roadways through Des Plaines that do not have any closures: Touhy Avenue and Northwest Highway.

William Soderberg, spokesperson for the City of Des Plaines, said 5,600 Des Plaines residents received a notification on Thursday they would be in the area impacted by flooding. The Des Plaines Fire Department has been assisting those residents that choose to evacuate their homes, Soderberg said, which was approximately 30 on Thursday and an unknown number on Friday.

A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Prairie Lakes Community Center.

Update, 4:30 p.m. on April 19:

The Des Plaines River reached 10.9 feet on Friday, according to the city's website, and is expected to crest at 11 feet at 7 p.m. on Friday.

That's the highest the river has been in 27 years, WBBM news radio reported.

Des Plaines firefighters are evacuating 5,600 additional residences west of the Des Plaines River due to flooding, WBBM news radio reported.

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