Elgin readies for threat of flooding

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

ELGIN — With rain in the National Weather Service forecast for a good portion of the next seven days, Elgin’s Office of Emergency Management recommends that residents living in flood-prone areas be prepared for evacuation.

“Residents should have an evacuation plan in place before flooding occurs,” Elgin’s Office of Emergency Management coordinator Karen Flanagan said. “They should listen to local radio and television stations for flooding information or access information on various weather-related websites. The city’s website (www.cityofelgin.org) will also provide flooding updates and information.”

Elgin’s OEM has been monitoring areas and found creek and river levels to be above normal.

“Poplar Creek is already 2½ feet over normal levels, and the ground is already saturated,” Flanagan said. “Residents in all of the city’s low-lying areas should be prepared to find emergency shelter if necessary and stay informed.”

Contacted Friday, Flanagan said her office is keeping close watch not only on Poplar Creek on the east side, but on Tyler Creek on the west side as well, which was 1½ feet above its normal levels. Both have been prone to flooding as a result of severe storms or prolonged periods of wet weather.

Flanagan said she met with U.S. Geological Survey representatives at Poplar Creek Wednesday.

“They advised that Poplar Creek normally flows at 10 to 20 cubic feet per second. Wednesday, it was at 300 cubic feet per second. It was also 2½ feet higher than normal. I closely monitor the USGS website that charts real-time data for the creeks and the river. It indicates the gage height is still nearly 2 feet higher than normal and is moving swiftly at 200 cubic feet per second (in Poplar Creek). Tyler Creek is moving swiftly, too, at 100 cubic feet per second, compared to its usual 4 or 5 feet per second,” Flanagan said.

While the creeks both are high, according to the National Weather Service website, on Friday the Fox River was not close to flood levels at the Algonquin dam. The weather service monitors conditions there.

In the event of flooding, Flanagan reminded that for those who have nowhere else to stay, PADS of Elgin is an option. PADS, which opens at 7 p.m. each night, is at 1730 Berkley St., just north of Elgin Community College’s main campus. The evening shelter phone number is 847-980-7740 and the daytime phone, 847-608-9744.

In a press release, the OEM recommends that homeowners keep a battery-powered portable radio, emergency cooking equipment, and flashlights in working order, with extra batteries. It also suggests stocking up and storing canned food items, and having a can opener and at least one gallon of bottled water per day per person on hand, along with first-aid supplies and prescription medicines.

Those caught in a flooded area should not attempt to drive through high water covering a road, nor should they drive around barricades. The OEM recommends that if your vehicle stalls in a flooding area, leave it immediately and move to higher ground.

“In working many floods, I have helped evacuate residents by boat. It’s much safer for residents to be aware of the rains and leave their home before the flood waters cut off their access to exit,” Flanagan said.