Based on updated weather forecasts, Lake County officials were keeping an eye on the possibility of flash flooding and even eventual river flooding from two waves of rain moving through the area Friday.
A one-two punch of rain events is expected to result in flash flooding of some roads and low areas Friday evening and overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
“A weather system moving into the area will likely produce two waves of rainfall today through early tomorrow morning, with flash flooding and river flooding being possible,” the weather service posted Friday morning. “Based on updated weather forecasts, it now appears that flash flooding and potentially even river flooding could result from two waves of rain moving through the area today.”
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Engineer Robert Gardner, who monitors weather for the agency, said that while the main weather event is expected to trend to southern areas, Lake County might receive enough rain for flash flooding after 6 p.m. Friday and into the night.
Gardner added that due to the amount of rain forecast, there could be some localized Des Plaines River issues in the Lincolnshire area, but that the rains are not expected to bring any significant floodwaters from Wisconsin.
The first wave of rain and thunderstorms moved through Lake County by noon on Friday, resulting in more than a quarter inch of rain in some areas. Gardner said this wave was likely to “fill in depression areas and saturate the ground. The second wave, expected to include stronger storms and heavier rains, could then fall on the saturated area and cause localized flash flooding.”
River flooding is less likely, but Gardener said it could occur to some extent in southern areas of the county, while flash flooding could occur from the amount of rainfall alone on low-lying roads and underpasses across the county.
Gurnee Assistant Village Administrator Jack Linehan said the river situation in Gurnee looked good for the time being.
“Things are pretty low now — we’re at about 5 feet,” Linehan said of the Des Plaines River at Grand Avenue. He added the rainfall could raise the level to around 7 feet, but that would only result in minor flooding of riverside areas.
Linenhan said the greater danger is that according to the National Weather Service, we are in a wet period, and if multiple rainfall events continue over the next week or two, river flooding could become a factor again for the village, which just recovered from the Des Plaines overflowing earlier this month.
According to Linenhan, the weather service is calling for a total of about 1.5 inches of rain throughout the day and evening Friday.
“That’s a pretty good amount,” Linehan said. “If we have multiple days like this, it could be a problem.”
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Gardner said rains from the current event are expected to end by Saturday morning, followed by colder temperatures and windy conditions. Warm weather is expected to return, with temperatures in the mid-80s Monday, Gardner added, saying the expected warmth again brings higher chances for increased rain events.