ROCKFORD, IL — A day after the Rockford region was hit by a severe storm bringing a deluge of rain, the area will be again under a flood watch from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 11.
Although just 1.3 inches of rain was recorded at the Chicago Rockford International Airport by the National Weather Service July 10, it is estimated localized areas received 3 to 5 inches of rain, causing flash floods in low-lying areas.
ComEd was still working to restore power to 512 customers in Winnebago County at about 10 a.m. July 11 including 84 customers in Rockford where there were 19 areas with reported power outages.
The Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days was canceled because of the storms.
“A severe storm has unfortunately destroyed both of our Brat Days locations,” the club posted on Facebook. “We are incredibly relieved to report that no volunteers were injured during the storm. However, the true impact of this cancellation will be felt by the dozens of local charities that rely on the funds raised from this event.”
The flood watch starting at 2 p.m. July 11 will be in force for Boone, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties until 10 p.m.
The Freeport area is under a flood watch until 1 a.m. July 12. Showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall were expected after 5 p.m. in parts of Stephenson County and the surrounding area. More storms are expected in Freeport Saturday morning.
“Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks,” the National Weather Service said in its flood watch alert. “Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Roads and streets may be flooded.”
Areas hit hard by storms tonight in areas that already got heavy rain on July 10, could be at a higher risk for flooding.
Storms in the Rockford region are predicted to start after 3 p.m. Stronger storms will be capable of producing rainfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Severe storms caused flooding in parts of Rockford in July last year, leading to a disaster declaration. Rockford has approved an estimated $120 million storm water master plan that includes more than two dozen flood and storm water mitigation projects expected to take many years to complete.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: More storms could wallop northern Illinois, Rockford region this afternoon, tonight
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
