Rain, snow melt building flood potential

Flooding caused by a combination of rain, snowmelt and an ice jam has caused to river to rise by 2 feet overnight.

A flood warning by National Weather Service continues along the Kankakee River fro the Kankakee River State Park downstream to near the Grundy-Will county line where the gauge is reported at 12.61 ft.. The standard for major flooding to occur is 10.0 ft.

Flooding of roads in Phelan Acres, the DesPlaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Kelly and Phillips roads will continue. Yards and other low-lying areas along the river will remain inundated by water and ice. Shifting ice may damage structures along the shore.

At 8:07 PM CST Wednesday, river gauge data and emergency management indicated an ongoing ice jam extending from near the Grundy/Will county line upstream to near Custer Park.

Streamflow is forecasted to increase on the Kankakee River later this week due to rain and snow melt. Increased streamflow increases the risk of rapid water level fluctuations and sudden shifting of ice as it breaks up.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Wilmington, Lakewood Shores, and Custer Park. After ice jam break up, the flood wave will move down the Kankakee River from Wilmington to Phelan Acres.

A Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or may already be occurring. Persons along rivers, creeks, and other waterways should take immediate precautions to protect life and property.