Kankakee River flooding prompts evacuation in Wilmington subdivision

SUN TIMES MEDIA WIRE - Part of southwest suburban Wilmington was evacuated Wednesday morning because of flooding along the Kankakee River.

As of 1:30 p.m., the Phelan Acres subdivision of Wilmington had been evacuated, according to the Will County sheriff’s office. Personnel from the sheriff’s office and the Will County Emergency Management Agency remained in the area monitoring the situation.

A flash flood warning was in effect until 12:45 p.m. for parts of Will County and Grundy County along the Kankakee River, according to the National Weather Service. The flooding is being caused by the “rapid breakup” of a large ice jam on the river.

Residents were advised to leave their homes until rising water and ice move through the area, the sheriff’s office said. Utilities in the area are “being monitored closely.”

Roads have been closed at the intersections of Cottage and Lorenzo; Will and Willow; Blodgett and Kelly; Will and Lorenzo; and Will and Cottage, according to the sheriff’s office. Roads along the river within the subdivision are also closed, as is Blodgett between Will and I-55.

Officials have set up a hotline for residents seeking the latest information at (815) 724-1617.