Fox River and Des Plaines River flooding in Lake County IL; Salem Lakes homes affected

Active flood warnings are in effect for two major river systems in Lake County, Illinois, as heavy autumn rains push the Fox River and the Des Plaines River into or above flood stage on Friday, October 2, 2026. The National Weather Service offices in Milwaukee/Sullivan, Wisconsin and Chicago have each issued separate Flood Warnings, placing communities along both river corridors — including Salem Lakes, Wheatland, Gurnee, Antioch, Zion, Waukegan, and areas near Russell and New Munster — on alert through at least early next week.

The Fox River, already above its bankfull level of 10.0 feet Friday afternoon, is forecast to rise further and crest near 11.4 feet Saturday night before gradually falling below flood stage early Monday morning. Alongside it, the Des Plaines River has crossed its flood stage near Russell and is expected to remain in minor flood stage into next week. For homeowners near these corridors, now is the time to assess your property and document any damage — even if water has not yet reached your foundation.

What the National Weather Service Confirmed

Two concurrent Flood Warnings issued by the National Weather Service are affecting Lake County, Illinois and the immediate region:

Fox River Lower Near New Munster — NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI issued a Flood Warning for the Fox River Lower near New Munster, affecting Lake County, Illinois and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The warning remains in effect until Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM CDT.

At 3:00 PM CDT Friday, the river gauge read 10.4 feet — already above the bankfull stage of 10.0 feet. NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI forecasts the river will exceed official flood stage (11.0 feet) just after midnight, crest near 11.4 feet Saturday night, and fall below flood stage again early Monday morning.

NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI reports that at 11.5 feet, water reaches the yards of homes in the Village of Salem Lakes and the Town of Wheatland along Riverside Drive and Shorewood Drive, with 3 to 4 inches of water over 77th Street in Wheatland.

Des Plaines River Near Russell — NWS Chicago

NWS Chicago concurrently issued a Flood Warning for the Des Plaines River near Russell in Lake County, IL. As of Friday, the river stood at 7.1 feet — just above its flood stage of 7.0 feet — and is forecast to remain in minor flood stage into next week. NWS Chicago reports low-lying wetlands and agricultural land inundated near the Des Plaines River corridor in Lake County.

Residents across the affected area can monitor real-time river gauge data and updated forecasts at weather.gov.

What Homeowners in Salem Lakes, Wheatland, Gurnee, Antioch, Zion, Waukegan, and Surrounding Communities Should Check Now

Even as floodwaters remain active, there are safe steps you can take to begin assessing your property. If you live near the Fox River or Des Plaines River corridor, do not enter standing water — wait for an all-clear from local emergency management before inspecting low-lying areas of your property. Once conditions are safe, work through the following:

Exterior Walkthrough Checklist

• Roof and gutters: Heavy, sustained rainfall puts pressure on drainage systems. Check gutters for debris blockages, sagging, or sections that have pulled away from the fascia. Look for missing or lifted shingles, especially along roof valleys and eaves where water volume concentrates during prolonged rain events.
• Siding: Inspect for warping, cracking, or gaps where wind-driven water may have penetrated. Pay particular attention to low-mounted vents and the base of siding panels near the foundation line, where flood-adjacent moisture levels are highest.
• Windows and doors: Check frames and sills for water staining or active intrusion. Doors that suddenly stick or swell can indicate moisture absorption in the surrounding framing — worth investigating before it leads to a larger structural problem.
• Foundation and basement: Look for new cracks, white mineral deposits (efflorescence), or active seepage along walls. If any water reached interior spaces, photograph the waterline before cleanup begins — that documentation matters for your insurance claim.
• Trees and landscaping: Saturated soil significantly weakens root systems. Check for newly leaning trees, lifted root plates, or large limbs hanging over the structure. Do not approach an unstable tree; contact a certified arborist or your local public works department for guidance.
• Grading and drainage: Observe how water moves away from — or toward — your foundation. Pooling against your home’s base during or after a rain event is a warning sign that warrants professional review.

Homeowners in Gurnee, Antioch, Zion, and Waukegan — all within the broader Lake County impact area — should conduct this same walkthrough even if they are not in the immediate river flood zone. Heavy, prolonged rainfall associated with major river flooding events frequently causes secondary damage from overland stormwater flow, overwhelmed municipal storm drains, and roof drainage failures that affect homes well beyond the visible flood corridor.

If You Find Damage

If your inspection reveals water intrusion, structural concerns, or storm damage, here are the recommended next steps — in order:

1. Document everything before you touch it. Photograph and video the affected areas from multiple angles before any cleanup or temporary repairs begin. Capture timestamps, the full scope of damage, and any visible waterlines on walls or flooring. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim and should be completed before disturbing anything.
2. Make only temporary, emergency repairs. If water is actively entering your home, reasonable protective measures — tarping a compromised roof section, placing sandbags at entry points, pumping standing water — are appropriate and often required to prevent additional loss. Keep all receipts for materials and services. Avoid permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster has documented the original damage.
3. Contact your insurance carrier promptly. Report the loss as soon as it is safely possible to do so. Your insurer will assign a claim number and typically schedule an adjuster visit. Standard homeowner’s insurance generally covers sudden water intrusion from storm events; flood coverage is a separate policy issued through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood carriers. Review your policy carefully, and ask your agent if you have questions about what is and is not covered.
4. Get a professional damage inspection. A licensed storm damage restoration contractor can perform a detailed inspection and provide a thorough, documented repair estimate — before or after the adjuster’s visit. Allied Emergency Services has been serving homeowners across the Midwest since 2015, with more than a decade of storm restoration experience. We are Illinois Licensed Roofing Contractor #104.019029 and can meet with your insurance adjuster on-site to help ensure the documented scope of damage is complete and accurate.
5. Watch for mold. Moisture that sits inside walls, under flooring, or in crawlspaces for more than 24 to 48 hours creates ideal conditions for mold growth. If you suspect water has reached concealed spaces, a professional assessment before closing those areas back up can prevent significant cost and health risk down the line.

Please note: Allied Emergency Services is a licensed restoration contractor. We document damage, provide detailed repair estimates, and perform covered repairs — we do not negotiate, settle, or adjust insurance claims on your behalf. For guidance specific to your claim rights, consult your insurance carrier or a licensed public adjuster.

For general emergency preparedness resources, visit ready.gov.

This article is provided as general information only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.

Allied Emergency Services Is Available 24/7

If you’re in Lake County and have found damage — or you’re simply unsure what you’re looking at — Allied Emergency Services is ready to help around the clock. Our team has spent more than a decade responding to storm events across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and the broader Midwest, and we know what to look for even when the damage isn’t obvious from the surface.

• Call: (800) 792-0212 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Text ESTIMATE to: (844) 907-2546

We serve Salem Lakes, Wheatland, Gurnee, Antioch, Zion, Waukegan, and communities throughout Lake County and the greater Midwest. Whether the damage is plainly visible or just a nagging suspicion after a flood event like this one, we will come out, assess it honestly, and give you a straight answer on what needs to happen next.