STEPHENSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS — Early this morning, the Pecatonica River at Freeport reached Minor Flood Stage at 13 feet. The National Weather Service is currently predicting the river to crest at 15.8 feet by Monday, just below Major Flood Stage.
This is very similar to flood levels experienced in July 2017 and February 2018.
However, impacts may differ from previous floods due to factors such as frozen ground, forecast rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff from southern Wisconsin. Many area creeks are also experiencing significant flooding, including Richland Creek in Orangeville and most of Yellow Creek.
The Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents living in flood-prone areas to take action now to prepare for the flooding.
• Monitor weather and river forecasts. Pay attention to flood watches and warnings. If you live in an area prone to flash flooding, keep an eye out for potential signs such as heavy rain.
• Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels, declutter drains and gutters, and consider a sump pump with a battery. Find alternative parking to keep your vehicle out of flood waters.
• If possible, plan ahead and have a place to go in case you need to evacuate your home. Gather supplies and keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
• Listen to local officials. Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Do not drive around barricades.
Sand and sandbags have been placed at the Krape Park maintenance building, St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church at 607 East Stephenson St, and at the old fire station at 1819 South West Ave / IL 26 in Freeport.
Residents should pay attention to future press releases for more information as the situation develops.
Social News
Stephenson County - where flood season seems to be 9 months out of the year and residents can't catch a break. Please don't become a statistic. Turn Around, Don't Drown. This video is #CheesyButTrue
Press Release
A Flood Warning is in effect for Stephenson County until further notice. Early this morning, the Pecatonica River at Freeport reached Minor Flood Stage at 13 feet. The National Weather Service is currently predicting the river to crest at 15.8 feet by Monday, just below Major Flood Stage. This is very similar to flood levels experienced in July 2017 and February 2018. However, impacts may differ from previous floods due to factors such as frozen ground, forecast rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff from southern Wisconsin. Many area creeks are also experiencing significant flooding, including Richland Creek in Orangeville and most of Yellow Creek.
The Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents living in flood-prone areas to take action now to prepare for the flooding.
Monitor weather and river forecasts. Pay attention to flood watches and warnings. If you live in an area prone to flash flooding, keep an eye out for potential signs such as heavy rain.
Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels, declutter drains and gutters, and consider a sump pump with a battery. Find alternative parking to keep your vehicle out of flood waters.
If possible, plan ahead and have a place to go in case you need to evacuate your home. Gather supplies and keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
Listen to local officials. Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Do not drive around barricades.
Sand and sandbags have been placed at the Krape Park maintenance building, St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church at 607 East Stephenson St, and at the old fire station at 1819 South West Ave / IL 26 in Freeport.
Residents should pay attention to future press releases for more information as the situation develops. More information can also be found at the Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency’s Facebook page and Twitter (@stcoema).
Areal Flood Warning for Stephenson County
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
922 AM CDT WED MAR 13 2019
The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a Flood Warning for rain and snowmelt in Stephenson County in northwestern Illinois until 915 AM CDT Wednesday.
* At 916 AM CDT, emergency management reported numerous creeks out of their banks across the county along with numerous roads closed. Yellow creek is 1 to 2 feet out of its banks along its length. Another creek through Orangeville is flooding several local streets with water several feet deep.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include Freeport, Lena, Pearl City, Cedarville, Davis, Dakota, German Valley, Oneco, Orangeville, Kent, Eleroy, Damascus, Lake Le-Aqua-na State Park and McConnell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Aaron Reed Sue Reed
I need to go to Monroe around noon would Winslow road be a candidate for flooding?
Flooding has almost become "business as usual" in some areas of Stephenson County, but it's important not to become complacent. Here are a few tips/reminders for those living in flood-prone areas.
AREAL FLOOD WATCH
258 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...
The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has expanded the
* Flood Watch to include portions of northwest Illinois and east central Iowa, including the following areas, in northwest Illinois, Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson. In east central Iowa, Cedar and Jackson.
* From 1 AM CDT Wednesday through Thursday afternoon
* Heavy rain of 0.75 to over 1 inch combined with snow melt will quickly runoff into low lying areas and waterways.
* The combination of rain and snow melt will bring a risk of flooding due to saturated and frozen ground.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Monitor later forecasts and take action if a flood warning is issued or flooding develops.Flood Watch has been expanded to include portions of far northwest Illinois, and is in effect from tonight thru Thursday. Rainfall of three quarters to one inch will combine with snow melt from warm temperatures to increase flooding risk across the watch area. #iawx #ilwx #mowx
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