Journal & Topics Media Group

Flooding Forces Closure Of Willow Road In Prospect Heights


Hillcrest Lake (at left) floods Willow Road forcing the road’s closure on Thursday, May 2, 2019 in Prospect Heights. (Shawn Clisham/Journal photos)

A spot known for flooding has flooded again forcing the closure of a roadway through Prospect Heights.

Willow Road between Elmhurst and Wheeling roads in the central part of the city remains closed today (Thursday) due to flooding at Hillcrest Lake and the adjoining Willow Sloughs.

That part of two-lane Willow passes between the lake and the sloughs at a low point. The bodies of water frequently flood during heavy rain events like this week’s, and spill over onto the road.

In the midst of stormwater runoff at the Willow Sloughs in Prospect Heights, a snail holds on.

An estimated 4 to 5 ft. of water covered Willow Road at its low point near Hillcrest Drive earlier today, according to one local observer.

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, which maintains that part of Willow Road in Prospect Heights, also closed roadways in Orland Park and Matteson in the South suburbs due to flooding.

The highway department reminds drivers to exercise extreme caution when encountering water on any roadway and offers the following information and tips:

Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water and you could be stranded or trapped.

Do not drive around a barricade. Barricades are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.

Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your vehicle, abandon it and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and pick-up trucks.

A view of the Willow Sloughs, where stormwater flows into Hillcrest Lake, and from there McDonald Creek, which feeds into the Des Plaines River.

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