Many homeowners used sandbags and tarps to create a barrier between their homes and the floodwater, as the swollen river reached its highest point, 12.36 ft., which is about 5 ft. above normal. The river will remain at major flood stage through Thursday.
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The Fox River started receding around 1 p.m. Tuesday, which is welcome news to Algonquin residents. But they are still concerned about 2 inches of rain that is expected to fall in the next week.
"We could be at this point again in another month. We did have a flood of this elevation only four years ago," said Logan Gilbertson, a civil engineer.
Drone footage of the Algonquin area shows parks turned into lakes, driveways and garages flooded and homes with waterfront views became homes surrounded by water. Many homeowners had to wade through high-standing water to get to their front doors this week.
Many people said the 2013 flood prepared them for this one.
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"We saw this in 2013 and this is worse," said Paulette Ryg, who lives in Algonquin.
Many of her neighbors said the flood won't dilute their love of Algonquin. They said living with beautiful riverfront views comes with a flood risk - one they believe is worth it.
On a hot summer day in July Famous Freddie's would normally be jumping with customers arriving by land and water. But with the flood waters washing out the roads and the river still closed because of the strong currents and high water, there's no way for customers to get there.
Owner Mark Hoffman said he has been through several floods over the last couple decades, but this is the worst.
"There's nothing else you can do, it's out of your control," said Hoffman.
In Round Lake, it was a grim situation at Murphy Elementary School where four feet of flood water has destroyed books, computers, and other supplies. Some early estimates suggest the damage will cost up to $6 million.
Hospital reopening after closure due to floods, power outage
A suburban Chicago hospital is reopening after being evacuated and closed last week due to power outages caused by flooding.
Northwestern Medicine says in a statement that clinical operations are resuming Tuesday at Lake Forest Hospital, including the facility's emergency department. Power was restored last Wednesday night following the outage earlier that day.
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The update comes as flood conditions remain in areas of northern Illinois.
Floodwaters began to recede over the weekend along the Des Plaines River.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has issued disaster declarations for four counties due to flooding, including Cook County. Chicago is in Cook County.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.