McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Nunda Township Board:

Nunda Township Passes Resolution Thanking Volunteers Hundreds Responded to calls for Assistance

Crystal Lake, IL- May 29, 2013- On May 14th the Nunda Township Board of Trustees passed a unanimous resolution acknowledging the efforts of the volunteers that gave of their time in April to assist flood victims in Nunda Township.

The Nunda Township Highway Commissioners’ sandbagging operation.

Between April 17th and April 23rd more than 800 volunteers including many from outside McHenry County and some from outside Illinois gave freely of their time and energies to help fill, tie and stack in excess of 60,000 sandbags to aid over 300 Nunda residents as they fought to save their homes during the record flooding along the Fox River.

In addition, many people donated the use of their vehicles to transport sandbags to residents, while others donated food & beverages for the volunteers.

Local businesses also aided with donations of supplies needed to keep the sand bagging operation running at full strength.

As an extension of the gratitude of affected residents, the Nunda Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution at their May 14th meeting commending the volunteers, who heeded the pleas from robocalls, emails, social media as well as local and regional media outlets, for giving selflessly of their time to help Nunda citizens during a time of desperate need.

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Might I add the comment that this is a way that a Republican Party-controlled local government has shown its value to citizens.

That’s what Fox River Grove Police Chief Ron Lukasik reports:

“Flood Clean-Up Kits will be available today from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M., then Monday through Friday from 7 A.M to 5 P.M.

Algonquin Township Hall

“Kits can be picked up at the Algonquin Township offices, 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.”

The flood seems to have peaked at both the Algonquin and McHenry Dams.

The level of the Fox River at the Algonquin Dam shortly before 1 PM Wednesday afternoon.

The level of the Fox River at the McHenry Dam shortly before 2 PM Wednesday afternoon.

These homes on South Harrison Street in Algonquin presumably will not need major repairs.

The following emergency meeting notice has been issued by the McHenry County Board:

The McHENRY COUNTY BOARD Chairwoman, Tina R. Hill, has scheduled a Special Emergency McHenry County Board meeting for Friday, April 26, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. to discuss consideration to waive building permit fees for those addressing building issues as a result of the flood and to conduct regular business as necessary and appropriate.

An email from Nunda Township Trustee Mike Shorten:

Urgent… Volunteers still needed

Good Morning,

Despite reports relayed in the media that the Fox River had crested yesterday, the Nunda Road District Employees have seen otherwise and the water has risen overnight and continues to rise.

Volunteers are still needed to assemble sand bags as orders have continued to come in from affected residents.

With sandbags in place and a pump running, this Nunda Township man tries to protect his home from the record Fox River flood. His home is located in Bayview Beach Subdivision in Prairie Grove, just east of Prairie Isle Golf Course.

Operations will continue today at the Nunda Township Highway Department located at 3518 Bay Rd in Crystal Lake and will likely run into the evening. We have been overwhelmed with support from Nunda Residents and people from neighboring communities.

Again, even if you have an hour or two and regardless of your physical ability every person that shows up is a huge help.

The Fox River at the McHenry Dam is now 7.44 feet above flood stage. That’s as of 8:15 AM.

The gauge at the McHenry Dam on the Fox River indicates residents are experiencing a record flood.

The record flood level is 7.2 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

Flooding at Bald Knob Road in Johnsburg near Pistakee Bay Sunday evening.

Late Sunday only tree tops are visible on Half Moon Island near the mouth of the Fox River.

A Johnsburg water tower can be seen in this picture of flooding from late April 21, 2013.

Another Johnsburg water tower appears in this photo of the Pistakee Bay flooding of River Terrace on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, the water level at the Algonquin Dam continues to increase.

The gauge reads 3.9 feet on Monday, April 22, 2013, at the Algonquin Dam. The record is 4.5 feet.

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Photos were taken by Carolyn Harrison.

If you have photos of the flooding, please email them to calskinnr2@gmail.com.

Yesterday Nunda Township Supervisor-Elect Lee Jennings sent out another robo-call seeking volunteers.

Can anyone identify where this flooded Nunda Township Road is located?

[Jennings identified this as Rawson Bridge Road near the Broken Oar.  When he emailed me, he said the water was higher on Monday morning.]

People are needed for both heavy lifting and tying up the bags of sand.

On Sunday, April 21, the Fox River was still rising as of 1:15 PM at the McHenry Dam.  The water is at 7.36 feet, above the record of 7.2 feet.

Here is Jenning’s plea for help:

Lee Jenings

Where the Bay Road Nunda Township Office complex is located.

“Even though the rain has stopped, the Fox River continues to rise.

“Nunda Township still needs able bodied volunteers to help operate a sandbagging program to assist our residents affected by the flooding.

“We will not stop until the river crests and the flooding begins to subside.

“Please join us this weekend from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm Saturday and Sunday at the Nunda Township Highway Department located at 3518 Bay Rd. in Crystal Lake.

“Even a few hours of your time will help tremendously.

“If you are in need of sandbags or for more information, please contact the Nunda Highway Dept at 815-459-4410.

“Thank you.”

Here’s the situation at 3:15 PM at the gauge at the McHenry Lock and Dam:

Four feet above flood level at the McHenry Dam, the level designated as a “major” flood.

Meanwhile, Downstream at the Algonquin Dam, the “major” flood level has not quite been reached:

What the gauge reports at the Algonquin Dam.

You can see what the Fox River looks like flowing over the Algonquin Dam below:

Can you figure out where the Algonquin Dam is under the Fox River.

You can see the northeast corner of Port Edward’s restaurant above.

Another message from Nunda Township Trustee Mike Shorten:

“The sandbagging operation continues today as the river is not expected to crest until sometime tonight or early tomorrow morning.

“We need people to fill, tie and stack sandbags today.  I’m attaching a picture of part of yesterdays late night crew; every single person regardless of age or physical ability was a huge help.

Sandbaggers at the Nunda Township Garage on Friday night.

“If you have even an hour, come on out. The more people the have the faster we can produce the bags. With a full crew at each machine, I’d guess that we can make 25 sandbags a minute.

“The address is 3518 Bay Road in Crystal Lake and operations are under way right now!”

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The Fox River continues to rise.

Below you see the gauge shows the water just below four feet above flood stage at the Algonquin Dam:

The Fox River flooding situation Saturday morning.

Here’s what the gauge says:

The gauge at the Algonquin Dam shows the rapid rise of the flood waters.

Here’s the text of Township Supervisor-Elect Lee Jennings robo-call yesterday:

Lee Jennings

“This is Lee Jennings, your newly elected Nunda Township Supervisor.

“Nunda Township is currently operating a sandbagging program to help our residents affected by the recent flooding.

“This program will be in operation 24 hours a day until the river crests and the flooding begins to subside.

“We are in desperate need of able bodied volunteers to help fill sandbags as well as load and unload trucks with sandbags.

“We would also appreciate donations of food, coffee, water and soda for the volunteers.

“This is taking place at the Nunda Township Highway Department located at 3518 Bay Rd. in Crystal Lake.

“For more information, please contact the Nunda Highway Dept at 815-459-4410 or call me at 847-606-6660.”

Jennings wrote last night,

“An estimate of number of sandbags so far is over 16,000.

“We were able to stop sandbagging around 9:30 this evening with a handful of us still assisting residents until about 11:00.

“Originally, we expected to work 24×7 but fortunately are able to get some rest due to the amazing response and help we received from the public.

“This process will be repeated again starting at 7:00 tomorrow morning and going into the evening (or all night if it starts raining again).

“I am so proud of our Township Road Crew, both our existing and newly elected Highway Commissioners and the wonderful volunteers that turned out to help.”

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the following roads are flooded:

Advisory: Roadways impacted by Heavy Rain

As of 8:00 AM on 04/18/2013, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is aware of the following roads affected by heavy rains. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Townships, County Highway, and State Highway authorities to keep residents updated on the status of the affected roadways.

Closures:

• Algonquin Rd between IL RT 31 and Pyott Rd. Algonquin
• Kemman Rd. North of Van Der Karr Rd. (Roadway washed out)
• Mason Rd. between Oak Grove Rd. and Graff Rd. Chemu

High Standing Water

• Route 20 at County Line Rd, Marengo
• River Rd. between Route 23 and Squire Rd., Marengo
• Route 23 at Collins Rd., Marengo
• Route 23 at Olbrich Rd., Marengo
• Oak Grove Rd. between Route 173 and Wright Rd., Harvard
• St. Patricks Rd. at Murray Rd, Woodstock
• Route 47 at Hercules Rd., Woodstock
• Sunnyside Rd at Perkins Rd, Woodstock
• Route 31 at Ringwood Rd., Ringwood
• Route 12 at Wilmot Rd., Spring Grove
• Wright Rd, Prairie Grove
• Route 176 at Buhl Rd., Prairie Grove
• Riverside Dr., Nunda Township
• Riverdale Rd and Dee Dr., Island Lake

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The list as of 12:45 Thursday:

Closures:

• Kemman Rd. North of Van Der Karr Rd. (Roadway washed out)
• Maxon Rd. between Oak Grove Rd. and Graff Rd. Chemung
• Riverside Road at Brentwood, McHenry

High Standing Water:

• Algonquin Rd between IL RT 31 and Pyott Rd. Algonquin
• Route 20 at County Line Rd, Marengo
• River Rd. between Route 23 and Squire Rd., Marengo
• Route 23 at Olbrich Rd., Marengo
• Oak Grove Rd. between Route 173 and Wright Rd., Harvard
• Route 47 at Hercules Rd., Woodstock
• Sunnyside Rd at Perkins Rd, Woodstock
• Route 31 at Ringwood Rd., Ringwood
• Route 12 at Wilmot Rd., Spring Grove
• Wright Rd, Prairie Grove
• Route 176 at Buhl Rd., Prairie Grove
• Riverdale Rd and Dee Dr., Island Lake
• State Line Rd, between Lilja Rd and Weidner Rd
• County Line Road at Rt 173, Harvard
• Fleming Road between Bull Valley Road & Country Club Rd, Woodstock
• Ramer Road at Oak Grove Road, Harvard
• River Road between McHenry Dam Road and Fernview Road, McHerny
• Kishwaukee Valley Road at Noe Road, Marengo
• Rt 176 west of Terra Cotta Road
• Queen Anne Road between Rt 120 and Bull Valley Road