Illinois Flood Watch | Effective 04/15/2026 08:32

Headline: 
Flood Watch issued April 15 at 10:32AM CDT until April 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Event: 
Flood Watch
Urgency: 
Future
Effective: 
April 15, 2026 - 8:32am
Expires: 
April 16, 2026 - 2:45am
Description: 
...The National Weather Service in Chicago IL has issued a Flood Watch for the following rivers in Illinois... Des Plaines River at Riverside affecting Central Cook zone. Des Plaines River at River Forest affecting Central Cook zone. ...The Flood Watch is replaced by a River Flood Warning for the following rivers in Illinois... Des Plaines River at Lincolnshire affecting Northern Cook and Lake IL zones. Des Plaines River near Des Plaines affecting Central Cook and Northern Cook zones. For the Des Plaines River...including Lincolnshire, Des Plaines, River Forest, Riverside...flooding is possible. * WHAT...Flooding is possible. * WHERE...Des Plaines River from Roosevelt Road in Forest Park downstream to Hodgkins, including the Riverside gauge. * WHEN...From late tonight to late Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...At 8.5 feet, IL-171 (1st Avenue) threatened near Brookfield Zoo. Water may begin to overflow into the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal near Willow Springs. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:45 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 5.8 feet. - Forecast...Flood stage may be reached late tonight and approach moderate flood stage tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 7.5 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction: 
A Flood Watch means water levels above flood stage are possible, but not yet certain, based upon the latest forecasts. Persons along rivers and streams in the watch area should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action should flooding develop. These forecasts are based on observed precipitation as well as forecast precipitation 24 hours into the future. Changes to the rainfall forecast, or any additional rainfall after 24 hours, may cause changes to these river forecasts. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. The next statement will be issued by this morning.
Area Description: 
Central Cook
Forcast Office: 
NWS Chicago IL
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov