Flash flooding forces evacuations in southwestern Will County along Kankakee River

WILMINGTON, Ill. - The Kankakee River has experienced a surge in water levels caused by ice jams, prompting evacuations and a Flash Flood Warning for southwestern Will County.

"It's a waiting game right now. Mother Nature's the only one that knows what's going to happen and she's not talking to us right now," said Dennis Houseman, director of the Wilmington Emergency Services & Disaster Agency. "We will live through it. I mean, I'll guarantee one thing – it'll be gone in June!"

On Friday afternoon, Will County officials said ice jams on the river had cleared but water levels remained high. 

Route 53 was shut down but reopened to traffic. It could be closed again depending on river conditions.

"I said ‘God how much more?’ I’m ready to move. I hate the river now," said Sheryl Holcomb, who was dealing with flooding inside her home. "It’s in my shower room, in my laundry room and now I’m trying to mop up all the water that’s on my family room floor."

"This is the first time my garage has had water in it since I built it," said Mike Ceranski. "It’s all going to depend on how it breaks up from here."

Residents just hope the river calms down soon.

"Six hours ago none of this was here, it was just the flat ice. You see, this is everything that's piled up in the last six hours. So, and it could change literally in minutes," said Rick Reavis. 

A week ago, the river was frozen solid in and around Wilmington. On Thursday, the river was visibly flowing, carrying large ice chunks that posed a potential risk of causing further jams.

"Rising streams can cause the ice to break and jam up in different ways in different locations. So the flooding can really happen anywhere in the area that we have ice right now," said Tom Murray, the chief deputy director of Will County Emergency Management Agency. "Be mindful of what the river is doing, have a plan."

Early Friday morning, the ice jam broke, sending water into Wilmington.

An emergency evacuation also took place at the Super Shine Motel as a result of the flooding. Fourteen residents had to leave, and one woman was carried out.

A local resident who owns a summer home along the river has noted significant changes in the past week.

"It came up crazy high, settled down, and now with things breaking up-river and down-river still packed, I think we're in for some trouble yet," said Bob Dobczyk. "When (the ice starts) jamming up again, the water's got nowhere to go."

Will County's EMA has deployed ice spotters to monitor conditions, emphasizing that residents in low-lying areas should prepare for possible evacuation at short notice.

The flood warning is still in effect, and it could take days to recede.