People living along Fox River bracing for flooding as latest rounds of potentially severe storms approach
With the Fox River already running high and fast, people who live along its banks are bracing for flooding, with more rain on the way on Friday.
Several trails and parks in South Elgin have been closed already because of flooding, with water spilling over the river's banks and into people's yards and over riverfront trails.
Sand is available for pickup at the Public Services Building in South Elgin, as the village is planning for moderate flooding.
Jerry Cozart filled up 25 sandbags on Friday. He knows the rain in the forecast is out of his control, but at least he can prepare by filling sandbags – to protect his family's property in South Elgin.
"From what they're talking on the river, it's better to be safe than sorry," he said.
The river also has started to creep into people's backyards in nearby East Dundee.
Dean Kaiser said he's not fazed by the level of the Fox River at this point. He's seen it much worse in 2007 and 2013 – when it looked like his home and garage were floating on water.
But Kaiser said he also knows the river can be unpredictable – and he takes precautions to protect his property before every storm.
"As soon as we get a heavy rain, we start watching, and then you just make preparations. Everything in my barn's elevated. Everything in my house, you know, we're ready for it if it comes," he said.
The Fox River isn't expected to crest until Wednesday, but it's already reached many yards, and the best anyone living along the river can do is watch the water and learn to live with it.
"That's the price you pay to live down here," Kaiser said.
Officials reminded people who live along the river to be safe and use common sense near the river, noting its banks are soft and squishy, and that the river is deep with a fast-moving current.