Des Plaines hardest hit by rain-caused flooding

FLASH FLOODING IN DES PLAINES - UPDATE

            for immediate release

5 PM, Sunday, July 24, 2011, Des Plaines, Illinois

The National Weather Service reports that 6.8 inches of rain fell in the City of Des Plaines within a 3 hour period during the night of July 22, 2011.

According to the National Weather Service's Report of 3:45 PM, Sunday, July 24, 2011, the Des Plaines River near Des Plaines is at 5.2 feet.  The river crested at 7.58 feet at 4 PM Saturday, July 23, 2011  (Flood stage is 5.0 feet).

The City has placed sand and sandbags at the following locations:

• Big Bend Drive & Hawthorne Lane
• Christ Church (Cora Street and Henry Avenue)
• River Road and Howard Avenue

ComEd reports that 66 residents are without power.  ComEd has 16 crews in Des Plaines continuing to work to restore power.

The City of Des Plaines Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the situation and will issue additional information as needed.

Residents should place flood damaged items and related debris curbside for pickup at the regularly scheduled collection day. 

Residents and businesses with flat roofs are reminded to make sure that their roof drains are not blocked, as blocked roof drains may result in roof collapse.

City of Des Plaines Mayor Martin J. Moylan signed a Declaration of Local State of Emergency at 10am on Saturday, July 23, 2011.

Emergency calls more should be directed to 9-1-1. Des Plaines residents are advised to turn to cable channel #17 and the City's website, www.desplaines.org, for more information as it becomes available.   Additional weather information is available from the National Weather Service at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lot. Flooding information and non-emergency calls may be directed to the Des Plaines Emergency Management Agency (EMA) at 847-391-5396. 

Written information is available at the City’s kiosks located throughout the City:

Ward 1 Rand Road & Hawthorn Terrace

Ward 2 Christ Church, 1492 Henry Avenue

Ward 3 Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker Street

Ward 4 588 Dara James Road

Ward 5 Lake Park Golf Course Building, 1069 Howard Avenue

Ward 6 Des Plaines Park District, 2222 Birch Street

Ward 7 Chippewa Park, 123 Eighth Avenue

Ward 8 Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road

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Will Soderberg

City of Des Plaines Media Services

1420 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016

847.391.5327 (office)