Des Plaines River Crests Near 17 Feet Leaving Suburbs on High Alert

In Des Plaines, it is currently 47 degrees and cloudy with 15 mph winds from the west. The forecast for today, Sunday, April 19, 2026, includes light rain with a high of 47 degrees and a low of 32 degrees.

The Des Plaines River reached a critical crest of nearly 17 feet on Saturday evening, a level that has triggered major flood stage warnings for several northwest suburbs. While the water has begun to stabilize, low-lying areas—including the historic Methodist Campground—remain inundated. Public works crews have spent the last 48 hours working around the clock to distribute sandbags and manage high-capacity pumps along River Road to keep traffic moving through the hardest-hit sections of the city.

For many long-time residents, the rising water is part of a difficult but familiar routine. In nearby Lincolnshire, homeowners who have lived along the river since the mid-1980s spent the weekend moving valuables to higher ground and placing appliances on tables. Jean Muzik, who raised her house after the historic 100-year flood of 1986, noted that her garage was expected to flood by Saturday night, but her living quarters remain safe due to previous mitigation efforts.

The flooding concerns extend beyond Des Plaines, with a flood warning remaining in effect for the Fox River across Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry counties. In St. Charles, the river was measured at 13.5 feet, threatening parking facilities at City Hall and several popular recreational spots like Boy Scout Island. Officials are advising residents to stay clear of the Fox River Trail at St. Mary Park, which has been partially submerged by the overflow.

While the heavy storms that fueled the initial surge have moved out of the region, the light rain forecast for today may delay the receding of floodwaters. Local emergency management teams continue to monitor gauge levels at Algonquin Road and Lyons, reminding residents to report any structural damage and to keep sandbags in place until the water levels fall significantly below flood stage.

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