DuPage Anticipates Activation of Elmhurst Quarry and 14 Other Flood Control Facilities

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, and virtually the entire Chicago area, from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, until 4 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to spread across Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana this afternoon, with rain persisting through the night. Precipitation of 1.5 to 2 inches is likely, with some areas receiving more.

"Much of the area continues to have frozen ground, with only the top few inches of soil having thawed," according to the weather service. "(This) could lead to a majority of the rainfall becoming runoff and resulting in a rapid rise to area streams and rivers."

The chance for precipitation in Glen Ellyn is 75 percent by 6 p.m., and 100 percent from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Wednesday. Temperatures will begin dropping in the early morning hours Wednesday, reaching the mid-30s by noon. The rain is then expected to turn to snow for the rest of the day, tapering off around midnight.

DuPage County issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

"DuPage County Stormwater Management is anticipating activation of the County’s flood control facilities early Wednesday morning based on forecasted precipitation.

The National Weather Service estimates rainfall totals could reach up to 1.75 inches throughout the area late Tuesday into early Wednesday. If rainfall meets or exceeds forecasted amounts, the County projects the precipitation would trigger operation of the DuPage County flood control facilities.

DuPage County Stormwater Management operates 15 flood control facilities throughout the County with a total floodwater storage capacity of nearly 4 billion gallons. Areas protected by the facilities should not expect flooding. Elsewhere, based on current forecasts, the County expects overbank flooding to be minor and contained to low-lying areas.

During storm events, Stormwater Management staff monitors real-time stream and rain gage information, which is available to the public atec.dupageco.org/dec/stormwater/watershed/index.html.

Elmhurst Quarry is one of the 15 flood control facilities operated by DuPage County. Here is a list of all of them.

Temperatures will begin dropping in the early morning hours Wednesday, reaching the mid-30s by noon. The rain is then expected to turn to snow for the rest of the day, tapering off around midnight.

On Thursday, expect a high 17 degrees under mostly cloudy skies; overnight low 4 degrees.

On Friday, temperatures are expected to hold steady at about 19 degrees day and 16 degrees at night.

A slight warmup is coming Saturday, with a high of 30 and a low of 22 degrees, accompanied by a 30 percent chance of snow. Sunday could reach 40, with no chance of precipitation.

Expect dry, cloudy and cold conditions next week.

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