Flash Flooding in Illinois, February 20 to 24, 1997

Heavy rains fell over the area while soils were still partially frozen. These widespread two-to-four inch rains came as area rivers and streams were running high from snowmelt from the previous week. Nearly every stream and river went out of its banks, leaving standing water for several days afterward. The single largest impact was felt along the Rock River where record flooding occurred. At Joslin the river reached a record crest of 18.77 feet. This flooding came with large ice jams and, despite massive sand-bagging efforts, the combination of high water and ice breaks broke through levees near Erie and Hillsdale. Flooding caused evacuations of several towns along the Rock River. Water broke through a 200 foot section of a railroad tressel and flooded Erie, Illinois, 200 to 250 persons had to be evacuated. Over 2/3 of Cleveland, Illinois' 300 residents had to be evacuated. 95% of Hillsdale, Illinois was covered in knee deep water with some areas over ten feet deep. 80% of Hillsdale's 500 residents were evacuated. These breaks relieved some of the stress further down stream; however, Moline still experienced some flooding and the fourth highest crest since the datum began in 1929. The impact of flooding along the Rock River was so great that the counties of Rock Island, Whiteside, and Henry were delared state disaster areas.