Emergency Management advises residents to leave areas that flood

Photo by kconnors via morgueFile.com

Residents of areas effected by flooding in Western Kenosha County are being advised by Kenosha County Emergency Management to seek alternative shelter as the Fox River is forecast to crest at over 12.5 feet.

Flood stage for the river at the New Munster measuring station is 10 feet.

“Residents are urged to take extreme caution and seek alternative shelter if their home is affected by flooding and they are unable to get into their home until the river subsides,” said Lt. Ed Van Tine, director, Kenosha County Emergency Management. “When the flood waters get this high, swift currents may be present which will pose an extreme danger to residents and any first responders whom may have to assist should an emergency arise. Residents, who choose to remain in flooded areas, do so at their own risk.”

Residents needing temporary housing assistance may contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-236-8680.

The National Weather Service in Sullivan has predicted the Fox River will rise from its current stage of 11.71 feet (measured this morning) and will crest at 12.66 feet by Friday, then begin falling.

This forecast takes into account past precipitation and precipitation amounts expected approximately 24-hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

There is wide spread flooding of homes in low lying areas adjacent to the river in Wheatland, Silver Lake and Salem when the river reaches 12.8 feet and the river is expected to get very close to that level.