Flooding Update: Rauner Visits Algonquin / More Road Closures / Aerial Footage Of Flooding

ALGONQUIN, IL - The Fox River in McHenry County is continuing to rise with more flooding expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, Gov. Bruce Rauner was in town on Sunday to tour areas damaged by the flood.

"The Fox River will be cresting at record levels here over the next couple days," said Rauner, as he spoke at a press conference at the Algonquin Public Works Facility on Sunday afternoon. "We've declared disaster areas in McHenry County, Lake County, Kane County and now tonight, we're also declaring northern Cook County a disaster area, in anticipation of significant potential flooding."

He also said if flooding got bad enough, the state may be calling for evacuations.

"We are going to count on local officials to decide when to ask for an evacuation," Rauner said. He also reiterated warnings not to drive or walk into flooded areas.

A flood warning remains in effect for the Fox River at the Algonquin Tailwater. As of 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the Fox River in Algonquin was at 12.2 feet. Flood stage is 9.5 feet. The river level is expected to crest at 12.5 feet by Tuesday morning.

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Aerial video footage shared by the village of Algonquin shows flooding in the downtown area from the brimming Fox River.

• PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Fox River On The Rise

As of Sunday morning, Beach Drive east of Rattray Drive in Algonquin had been closed due to flooding. Cornish Park and Towne Park remain closed and the Algonquin Summer Concerts event on July 20 has been cancelled.

In addition, River Road between Fernview and the McHenry Dam in McHenry have been closed due to extreme flooding. Other roadways near the Fox River/Chain O' Lakes are also closed, according to a newsletter from Lake County.

The Fox Waterway Agency has shut down the Chain O' Lakes, which flows south into the Fox River, and the Fox River, from the Chain O' Lakes south to the Algonquin Tailwater, to all recreational boating. The Department of Natural Resources is allowing boaters to operate a vessel at idle speeds to the nearest ramp to pull their boat out.

The river is expected to be closed for at least a week, the Fox Waterway Agency told the Lake County News-Sun. The agency has been fielding hundreds of call regarding docks, tree, patio furniture and unattended boats that have been spotted floating down the rising river. In addition, two boats became stuck under the Route 12 bridge in Fox Lake Friday.

Boats were out patrolling on Friday and pulling large objects, including plants and "football field-sized floating islands of cattails," from the river, according to the Lake County News-Sun.

Village officials in Algonquin are warning residents that a flood with the potential to damage property is likely and that sandbagging is encouraged. Sandbags are available for residents at the following locations:

• La Fox River Drive at Cornish Park
• Center Street at IL Route 31
• At the End of Filip Road
• Beach Drive at Rattray Drive
• Oceola Drive at Hubbard Street
• Riverfront Park
• Lowe Drive at Melvina Court
• Lowe Drive at Lehigh Street

As of early Sunday, village officials said there is not an immediate need to leave the area, but residents are encouraged to monitor the quickly changing conditions and to take appropriate actions, including possible relocation.

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Algonquin residents with questions regarding the flooding event and most current forecasts may visit the village website or connect with the village on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor and Nixle.

Photo caption: The Fox River in Fox River Grove on Friday morning. Photo credit: Amie Rowland

More on Patch

• Flood Update: Lake Co. Road Closures To Snarl Traffic / Drone Footage Of Flooding
• Chicago-Area Weather: Flooding Continues / Heat and Humidity Is Coming / Dangerous Swim Conditions
• Flooding Closes Fox River Trail, Forest Preserve Sites In Kane Co.
• Rainfall Totals: Which Chicago-Area Towns Got Over 7 Inches Of Rain?