A third round of thunderstorms Friday evening caused major flooding on the east side of Gurnee, including Old Grand Avenue, Kilbourne Road and part of Route 132. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Severe thunderstorms rolled through Lake and McHenry counties for the third time this week, prompting tornado warnings and bringing heavy rainfall that caused major flooding throughout both counties.
Friday’s storms marked the third round of thunderstorms this week, with the first round on Tuesday and the second round on Wednesday.
The storms came from the west and entered McHenry County beginning around 7:30 p.m. Friday and Lake County at around 8 p.m.
Part of the northbound lanes of Route 45 at Washington Street in Third Lake were flooded late Friday evening. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings were issued for both counties, with radar-indicated rotation moving along the northern halves of both counties.
In McHenry County, the storm containing rotation passed through the Harvard, Alden and Wonder Lake areas.
Storm spotters reported seeing a funnel cloud moving along Route 173, according to radio traffic.
Heavy rainfall late Friday evening and early Saturday morning caused flooding at Grand Avenue and Vineyard Drive in Gurnee. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency (MCEMA) also received a report of debris in the air near Route 173 and White Oaks Road, which is west of Harvard.
NWS survey crews have not yet confirmed whether a tornado or tornadoes touched down in McHenry County.
Power outages were also reported as the storm made its way east.
Washington Street west of Hainesville Road on the border of Hainesville and Round Lake Park was flooded on Saturday. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
At Cary Road and Deerpath Road in Algonquin, a tree reportedly hit a power line and fell into the roadway, causing traffic to stop.
A tree was also downed at Harmony Road and Harmony Hill Road in Marengo.
Heavy rainfall exacerbated flooding concerns for towns along the Fox River and Des Plaines River, like Algonquin and Gurnee.
Gurnee public works crews set up barricades Saturday afternoon to shut down Grand Avenue at the Des Plaines River due to major flooding. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Algonquin village officials distributed sandbags at Beach Drive and Rattray Drive; Center Street and La Fox River Drive; Filip Street; Cornish Park; and Oceola Drive and Hubbard Street to combat flooding.
“The river is currently at 11.18 feet and is expected to crest at 11.8 feet by 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22,” the Algonquin Police Department said Saturday afternoon.
Flooding from the Des Plaines River caused a significant amount of water on roadways and towards homes near Gowe Park in Gurnee. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
The Fox River from the Illinois-Wisconsin border all the way to Kendall County was closed to boaters due to unsafe conditions.
The Chain O’Lakes in northwestern Lake County was also closed.
“Due to significant rainfall and continued water flow into the watershed, water levels across the Chain O’Lakes and Fox River are rising and are expected to reach moderate to major flood levels,” the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit said.
Flooding blocked access to and from Gurnee Fire Station #1 located at 4580 Old Grand Avenue on Saturday. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
In Libertyville, the intersection of Route 21 and Route 176 was flooded Friday evening due to heavy rainfall.
Several neighborhood streets in Grandwood Park were flooded.
The east side of Gurnee also saw heavy flooding due to its proximity to the Des Plaines River, combined with lower-elevation areas.
Esper Petersen Park, located off Kilbourne Road in Gurnee, was flooded after three rounds of thunderstorms this week. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Old Grand Avenue between Grand Avenue and O’Plaine Road and Kilbourne Road between Grand Avenue and Route 41 were closed on Saturday due to water.
Grand Avenue and Vineyard Drive in Gurnee, Peterson Road west of Route 45 in Libertyville, Route 59 from Route 22 to Scott Road in North Barrington, and Washington Street west of Hainesville Road in Round Lake Park also saw flooding.
One of the entrances to the Elysian Fields subdivision at Grand Avenue and Vineyard Drive in Gurnee was flooded on Friday and Saturday. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
At around 3:50 p.m. Saturday, a car reportedly became submerged in a ditch on North Stanton Point Road in Ingleside, but all the occupants were already out of the car when emergency responders arrived.
“Nearly two inches of rain fell in some areas, adding to already saturated ground conditions and rising water levels,” Lake County officials said.
“Water levels along the Des Plaines River are expected to peak between Saturday and Sunday before gradually receding.”
Grand Avenue between Milwaukee Avenue and O’Plaine Road in Gurnee was shut down on Saturday due to flooding from the Des Plaines River. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
“Flood concerns continue for the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes as water flows downstream from Wisconsin and additional rainfall moves through the region, increasing levels into next week. Areas near downtown Fox Lake and surrounding properties could see additional flooding,” officials said.
“As of Saturday morning, much of the water has receded, but some roads may still have significant water on the pavement. Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.”
“While clearer weather is expected next week, helping water levels recede, flooding can still occur in any area where rainfall exceeds the ground’s ability to absorb it. Residents should remain alert, especially those in flood-prone areas,” officials added.
