Emergency Response Underway: Illinois River Projected To Cross Railroad Tracks At River Station

Press release from the City of Peoria:

May 20, 2020

Peoria Public Works flood fighters continued construction of a six foot, 1,250 ring wall of sandbags along the rear of the historic River Station Tuesday. The wall stretched from the parking lot of Liberty Street to the Martinis On Water Street parking lot. By 2:30 p.m. workers were tying in sections of a different sand barrier system. Wednesday’s task is to erect a four foot wall along the front-side of the building.

The barrier is intended to keep floodwaters away from the City owned historic building. Crews continued to race against the clock as the river rose and water moved across Martinis parking lot throughout the day. The following is an outline of basic steps taken each year there is a threat of flooding.

1. A surveyor marks ground elevations at numerous points along the path of the wall to serve as a guide for wall bag placement.
2. Equipment and materials are staged and stockpiled onsite.
3. Crews then utilize heavy equipment and manual labor to fill sandbags that are placed one by one along the surveyed route.

It takes a well trained and coordinated team of City of Peoria, County workers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Transportation and other partners to move equipment, materials and supplies, as well cascade information to residents, business and property owners.

Latest projections anticipate the river will crest at 27.7 feet. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Lincoln has classified the Illinois River at Peoria on the brink of major flood stage. Due to the swift rise, Public Works worked until Tuesday evening placing the available sand. Efforts will commence to complete protective measures Wednesday.

Stay Informed
City crews are doing what they can to minimize flood affects to the River Station and Water Street. As of Tuesday afternoon, no businesses have have been effected by the rising river, however, the Riverfront Market is in discussions with City leaders about relocating their weekend operations. The Public Works Department will provide daily planning and water level updates as they become available. New information will be shared on peoriagov.org/public-works-update-2020-water-street-and-river-station-updates and on Nextdoor.com.

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.