Wilmington, IL – A man was rescued from his home as the Kankakee River, swollen from ice jams, caused significant flooding in the area.
The ice jams, which obstruct the river’s normal flow, have resulted in rising water levels and concerns for communities upstream. The Will County Emergency Management Agency reported that on Monday, just before 6 p.m., the individual was awakened to find his residence inundated with over three feet of water, necessitating a rescue operation by the Wilmington fire department using an inflatable device and wading through the arctic floodwaters.
Residents of the Phelan Acres subdivision, located in an unincorporated part of Wilmington, have been evacuated as a safety precaution. A flood warning remains in effect in parts of Grundy and Will counties, with no immediate end in sight.
Flood waters have already begun to overtake roadways Tuesday morning show ice and floodwaters overtaking the road. The National Weather Service has recorded the Kankakee River near Wilmington at over 12 feet, attributing the rise to ice jams formed under sub-zero temperatures, a common issue for this region with its numerous waterways. The situation remains critical, and officials urge the public to adhere to safety advisories.
