Illinois River At Peoria Flood Level On Steady Decline

Press release from the City of Peoria:

May 26, 2020

The Illinois River at Peoria is steadily receding this week – now at a reported 26.79 feet according to rivergages.com as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. While the charts may show a continued decline into the latter parts of the week, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Lincoln has issued a flood warning. The alert is in effect until early afternoon for urban areas and small streams in the following locations:

1. Central Peoria County
2. Northwestern Woodford County
3. North central Tazewell County

Overnight storms contributed to as much as three inches of rainfall. Thunderstorms are forecast for Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday with more rain to come. Some roadways in and around Peoria are expected to be overcome with standing water.

This includes the following highways:

1. Interstate 474 between mile markers 0 and 12
2. Interstate 74 between mile markers 81 and 97

Motorists should never drive through flooded roadways and remember to ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown.’ Just six inches of standing water alone can cause drivers to stall, far less to lose control of their vehicle, and one-and-a-half to three feet of water can sweep away a vehicle. Drivers should be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. The NWS notes nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle related.

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