Flood Warnings Remain for Chicago-Area Rivers

No rain forecast for the coming week as rivers continue to crest

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:11pm

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A heavily textured, atmospheric landscape painting in muted blues, grays, and greens, depicting a flooded suburban river valley shrouded in thick fog, with only the faint outlines of submerged buildings and trees visible through the haze, conveying a sense of the overwhelming power of nature.Lingering floodwaters from last week's extreme rainfall continue to threaten suburban communities, even as the skies remain clear.Chicago Today

Flood warnings remain in effect for the Des Plaines and Fox rivers in the Chicago area, even though there is no rain currently forecast for the upcoming week. The rivers crested at high levels last week after record-breaking rainfall pummeled the region, causing major flooding. A freeze warning has also been issued for Sunday night into early Monday.

Why it matters

Ongoing flood warnings for suburban rivers pose a continued risk to nearby communities, even without additional rainfall. This highlights the lingering impact of extreme weather events and the need for effective flood mitigation and disaster response plans in the region.

The details

The flood zone for the Des Plaines River runs from Roosevelt Road in Forest Park downstream to Hodgkins, including the Riverside gauge. The Fox River is cresting at over 11 feet and causing flooding in Kane and McHenry counties. While there is a slight chance of rain on Sunday, no additional rainfall is currently forecast for the coming week. Temperatures are expected to warm up starting Tuesday, reaching a high of 72 degrees.

  • The flood warnings have been in effect since last week's record-breaking rainfall.
  • A freeze warning has been issued for Sunday night into early Monday.

The players

Des Plaines River

A river that runs through the Chicago suburbs and is currently under a flood warning.

Fox River

A river in the Chicago area that is also under a flood warning, cresting at over 11 feet and causing flooding in Kane and McHenry counties.

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The takeaway

The lingering flood warnings for the Des Plaines and Fox rivers underscore the need for proactive flood preparedness and mitigation efforts in the Chicago region, even when immediate rainfall has subsided. Ongoing monitoring and coordination between local authorities will be crucial to ensure the safety of affected communities.