Wilmington, IL – Kankakee River Dips Below 10 Feet as Ice Jam Flood Warning Remains

Wilmington, IL – Wilmington and surrounding communities see a slight relief as the Kankakee River levels dip below the 10-foot mark. 

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the latest observed value at 5:45 AM CST on January 20, 2024, was 9.98 feet, signaling a minor retreat from major flood stage conditions. Despite this decrease, the flood warning for an ice jam continues until further notice, impacting Kankakee, Grundy, and Will counties.

Residents along the river are advised to stay alert as the situation evolves. The ice jam, causing the flood, persists from the Schuyler Avenue bridge upstream to Beckman Park. Areas like Aroma Park, Sun River Terrace, Wilmington, and Lakewood Shores remain under threat of flooding, with potential structural damages due to ice movement. 

The National Weather Service emphasizes that those in the affected regions should heed flood safety information and remain prepared to act if water levels fluctuate unexpectedly.