UPDATE: Downers Grove Roads, Schools Closed Due to Flooding

UPDATE, 6 a.m. April 19

Downers Grove schools will reopen Friday after power outages and widespread flooding forced officials to cancel classes Thursday.

Officials in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 said in a message Friday that power had been restored to all schools and that most roads are now clear.

"Some roads may still be impassable, so please use caution and, as advised by our village, please do not attempt to drive through standing water," officials said. "Thank you again for your flexibility and understanding as we worked through a very difficult weather situation."

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UPDATE, 11:50 p.m. April 18

Cleanup is underway in Downers Grove following a day of historic flooding across the Chicago area.

The latest update from the village indicates that cleanup efforts will continue into Friday, but standing water could remain in certain areas for some time.

Street sweepers will remove debris from roads as the water recedes. Restoration of public storm sewers will be ongoing for several days, officials said.

The following roads were heavily impacted, and could remain trouble spots for motorists:

• Highland Avenue and 35th Street
• 56th Street and Cumnor Road
• 55th Street between Benton and Fairview avenues
• Fairview Avenue between 6th and 8th streets
• Fairview Avenue from Prairie to Maple avenues
• 4300 block of Washington Street

Soilid waste collection will resume Friday for both Thursday and Friday collection days. Any waste not collected with be picked up Saturday.

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UPDATE, 12:20 p.m. April 18

Belmont Road in Downers Grove is now open to traffic, according to village officials.

Village crews are monitoring conditions and clearing debris from the roads as water levels slowly recede. Officials are asking residents to help clear visible debris from storm sewer grates.

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UPDATE, 12 p.m. April 18

Downers Grove waste pickup is canceled Thursday, according to village officials.

The village of Downers Grove posted the following message to its website:

"All Village staff are involved in the storm response and focused on life-safety issues. Please avoid road travel, as flooding is likely to increase as the day goes on. In addition to the major road closures in the village, several segments of side streets are also impassable. Stay alert and monitor the latest weather information."

If residents have water coming from floor drains, toilets, or bath tubs, they should call the Downers Grove Sanitary District at 630-969-0664. They will assess the problem and send an inspector as soon as possible.

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UPDATE, 10:45 a.m. April 18

The village of Downers Grove has announced additional road closures due to flooding:

• 31st Street at Highland Parkway
• Ogden Avenue at Downers Drive
• Prairie Avenue at Northcott Avenue
• Fairview Avenue at Hummer Park
• 5200 block of Lee Avenue
• 1300 block of Gilbert Avenue
• 1200 block of Maple Avenue
• 600 block of Rogers Street
• Curtiss Street, between Belmont Road and Cornell Avenue
• 56th Street, east of Fairview Avenue

Traffic signal outages were reported at the following intersections:

• Main Street and Ogden Avenue
• 39th Street and Highland Avenue
• 31st Street and Highland Avenue
• 63rd Street and Highland Avenue

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UPDATE, 10:20 a.m. April 18

The Downers Grove Park District has canceled all youth programs for Thursday, April 18, due to inclement weather. Adult programs and fitness are taking place as scheduled.

The park board meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. is also canceled.

Closed facilities: Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, Downers Grove Golf Club (until further notice) and Active Adult Center

Open facilities: Lincoln Center (designated Village emergency shelter), Recreation Center, 4500 Fitness

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UPDATE, 8:40 a.m. April 18

The Downers Grove Public Library will not open at 9 a.m., officials said.

Staff will evaluate the situation later in the morning before deciding whether to open late or close for the day.

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UPDATE, 8:30 a.m. April 18

Downers Grove North and South high schools are closed Thursday due to flooding and staff shortages:

District 99 posted the following message on its website:

"Due to the flooding and staff shortages, District 99 will be closed today. We apologize for the late notice. For those students who have already arrived, we will keep them safe and help to notify their parents until transportation is arranged. Thank you for your understanding!"

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UPDATE, 8:10 a.m. April 18

All schools in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will be closed Thursday due to flooding and power outages.

The district posted the following message on its website:

"We apologize for the extremely late notice but due to power outages, severe flooding and the inability of staff and parents to travel safely to school, District 58 must cancel school today, Thursday, April 18. Staff will be on hand at schools to accommodate students who are en route or have already arrived. Parents, If your child has been picked up by a bus, bus routes will continue to run and students will be dropped at school. Please make arrangements to pick up your child as soon as possible. Again, staff will remain at school for the duration of the day to ensure that all students are safe."

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ORIGINAL STORY, 7:50 a.m. April 18

Heavy rain and flooding prompted several road closures around Downers Grove on Thursday morning.

As of 7:30 a.m., the following roads are closed due to flooding, according to village officials:

• Belmont Road, from Curtiss St to Prairie Ave.
• Fairview Avenue, from Prairie Ave. to Maple  Ave.
• 55th Street, east of Fairview
• Highland Avenue, from 31st St. to Barneswood

To report home flooding issues, email the Downers Grove Public Works Department at crc@downers.us or call 630-434-5460 through 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., call the Village Operations Center at 630-434-5600.

The flooding has also prompted a late start schedule for both Downers Grove North and South high schools. School will begin at 10 a.m., according to Community High School District 99 officials.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 website stated that schools would remain open.

A flash flood warning remains in effect for DuPage County until noon, according to the National Weather Service. A flash flood emergency has been declared for Cook and DuPage counties, where emergency management officials are reporting numerous road closures, stranded vehicles and flooded homes.

Some municipalities have also declared states of emergency due to the flooding, according to the weather service.

As of 7 a.m., the National Weather Service in Romeoville was reporting 3.24 inches of rainfall.

According to the Illinois State Police, I-94 is closed between Foster and Touhy and Winnetka to Willow, and northbound I-94 at 130th was closed due to standing water. Interstate 290 is also shut down at I-294.

Thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the morning and afternoon. Storms could produce hail, heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts, according to the National Weather Service.

Check back with Patch for a list of road closures and updates on conditions.

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