Heavy rains, flooding prompt response from Grundy County EMA

Widespread rain overnight from Wednesday to Thursday dumped more than .5 inches of rain throughout Grundy County, adding to already waterlogged areas and causing a flood advisory. That advisory was lifted by 4 a.m. on Thursday, but the relentless rains of the past week have prompted a local response from the Grundy County EMA.

From 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 through Monday, Sept. 30, Grundy County's Emergency Operations Center on Union Street in Morris recorded a total of 7.10 inches of rain. In Coal City, the weekend totals hit 7.33 inches.

The Grundy County Emergency Operations Center Communications Room was activated in support of operations during the heavy rainfall event, supporting municipalities as well as supporting Morris with information during Corn Fest.

The county's mobile command center supported water rescue operations at Gebhard Woods Saturday Morning. On Sunday, mobile command was called to assist the Morris Police Department and IDOT with traffic control for the flooding at Route 47 and Bedford Road that left that intersection in Morris shut down for two days.

Grundy County and the city of Morris both set up public sand bagging stations during the flooding.

"Many homes across the county had to deal with the flash flooding in basements, etc.," explained Grundy County EMA Director Joe Schroeder. "It is nearly impossible to prepare for flash flooding, because it is such a fluid situation and constantly changing during the event. Roads close and open just as fast as it rains; things continuously change."

Schroeder noted that the flooding event was widespread, not just throughout Grundy County but the entire region. In La Salle County, EMA officials announced that damage assessments would be conducted this week, and residents there that experienced flood-related damage to their home or business can contact the La Salle EMA. Residents of the village of Seneca may stop by the village hall, 340 N. Cash St., and provide information if they would prefer.

Schroeder said heavy downpours that create flooding events like what happened over the past weekend are almost never the same.

"Flash floods of this magnitude are always devastating to those that must deal with the rapidly flowing water and complicated by any power outage issues affecting sump pumps, etc.," he said. "Most flash flood situations are somewhat unique for what factors are present for that particular event of occurrence. River flooding is quite a bit more predictable, slower to occur and generally less impacts across the county [but rather] more isolated in the areas of the river. The river only rose to 18.41 feet cresting on Sunday morning, just getting in to the moderate flood stage."