Flood — Winnebago, Illinois

2007-08-07 · near Winnebago, Winnebago, Illinois

Event narrative

Flooding continued from heavy rains and flash flooding earlier on August 7th. In Rockford, multiple roads closed due to flooding inlcuding Valencia, Avalon, and Churchill Grove from 9th to 20th. City officials in Rockford feared that water flowing over the spillway at the Alpine dam in Rockford would result in structural failure of the 65 year old dam. Residents in a 1200 home area immediately downstream of the dam along Keith Creek were evacuated as a precaution. Flood waters up to the first level of some houses and as many as 12 basement collapses were reported as a result of the flooding. Water came within 2 feet of flowing over the Alpine dam spillway at around 1130 AM. Severe flooding occurred within the Churchill Park area. Significant flooding also occurred along Madigan Creek in the Cherry Valley area. More than 40 residents along the creek were evacuated. About 30 homes along the creek sustained flood damage. Rainfall totals include 6.84 inches 3 miles southeast of Rockford, 6.79 inches northwest of Rockford and 4.70 inches 3 miles northeast of Rockford. The city of Rockford and Winnebago County were declared a state disaster area as a result of the flash flooding and flooding.

Wider weather episode

Heavy rain fell across parts of northern Illinois, including Rockford, causing significant flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.2700, -89.2300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 54765. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.