Fox River at Dayton above flood stage in La Salle County IL; Wedron and Sheridan impacted

The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a Flood Warning for the Fox River at Dayton in La Salle County, Illinois, on Friday, October 2, 2026. As of 7:45 a.m. CDT, NWS Chicago reported the river at 12.3 feet — above the official flood stage threshold of 12.0 feet — with communities in Wedron, Sheridan, and Dayton among the areas falling under the warning. The rise places low-lying riverbanks and adjacent properties in the affected corridor at risk as the event continues to develop through the day.

Forecasters at NWS Chicago project the Fox River at Dayton will crest near 12.6 feet Friday evening before falling below flood stage Saturday morning. While the margin above flood stage is measured in fractions of a foot, those increments carry real consequences along the Fox River corridor in La Salle County: overflowing banks, inundated agricultural land, and threatened rural roadways. Property owners in Wedron, Sheridan, and Dayton should monitor conditions closely through Friday night and be prepared to inspect their properties for water intrusion and related damage as the river begins its descent.

What the National Weather Service Confirmed

NWS Chicago’s Flood Warning is based on stream gauge readings at the Fox River at Dayton monitoring station. The following details are drawn directly from the official NWS Chicago statement issued October 2, 2026:

• River stage at 7:45 a.m. CDT: 12.3 feet
• Official flood stage: 12.0 feet
• Projected crest: Near 12.6 feet, Friday evening
• Projected return below flood stage: Saturday morning
• Impacts at 12.0 feet: Water overflows low-lying banks in Wedron and Sheridan
• Impacts at 12.5 feet: 2062nd Road in Wedron becomes threatened
• Agricultural impact: Low-lying farmland near Wedron, IL is being inundated

The Fox River at Dayton gauge is a key flood monitoring indicator for La Salle County. When the reading exceeds 12.0 feet, NWS Chicago classifies the situation as a flood condition affecting surrounding lowlands. Wedron and Sheridan — small communities positioned along the river’s path — sit at the center of the zone most directly affected during this event. The anticipated crest of 12.6 feet would push conditions to the point where 2062nd Road in Wedron faces a direct threat, which may limit access for residents in that area through Friday night.

For the latest NWS statements, river gauge readings, and updated forecasts for La Salle County, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov.

What Homeowners in Wedron, Sheridan, and Dayton Should Check Now

Whether your property sits directly on the Fox River or is set back from the bank, a Flood Warning in La Salle County is your signal to conduct a careful, methodical property inspection — ideally as water levels crest and begin to recede. Use the checklist below as a starting point.

Foundation, Basement, and Lower Levels

• Foundation walls: Look for water staining, efflorescence (white mineral deposits), or active seepage where the foundation meets grade. In low-lying areas near Wedron, even moderate flood events can elevate groundwater pressure against basement walls.
• Window wells: Confirm that window well drains are clear and flowing. Blocked drains allow water to pond and push through lower-level windows.
• Basement and crawl space: Check for standing water, musty odors, or moisture on floors and walls. If your home has a crawl space, verify that vents are unobstructed and that the space itself has not accumulated water.
• HVAC and mechanical equipment: If any equipment is located in a basement or crawl space that may have taken on water, do not operate it until a qualified technician has confirmed it is safe to do so.

Exterior — Siding, Gutters, and Drainage

• Siding and cladding: Flood-adjacent events often bring saturated soil conditions and driven rain. Inspect for lifted siding panels, gaps at seams, or discoloration that may indicate moisture wicking behind the exterior cladding.
• Gutters and downspouts: Confirm gutters are clear of debris and that downspouts are directing water at least six feet away from the foundation. In Sheridan and Dayton, where autumn leaf accumulation begins in earnest this time of year, blocked gutters can force water to back up and pool against the structure.
• Grading and drainage channels: Note any erosion channels, displaced mulch, or ruts in landscaping that indicate water traveled in unintended directions across your property.

Roof and Upper Structure

• Shingles and flashing: While this event is river-driven rather than wind-driven, heavy rainfall often accompanies flood conditions. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for dislodged or missing shingles, lifted flashing at chimneys, skylights, or roof valleys, and granule buildup in gutters — all early indicators of roof surface wear or storm damage.
• Attic inspection: If it is safe to access, check the attic for daylight gaps, staining on rafters and sheathing, or insulation that appears wet or compressed.

Trees and Landscaping

• Storm-stressed trees: Saturated soil significantly undermines root stability. Inspect any trees near your home — particularly larger mature trees — for signs of leaning, heaving or cracked soil at the base, or exposed root flares. A tree that looks structurally sound above ground may be dangerously unstable after prolonged soil saturation.

For additional guidance on preparing and inspecting your property before and after flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides free homeowner resources at ready.gov.

If You Find Damage

If your inspection reveals water intrusion, structural concerns, or exterior damage, the single most important thing to do before making any repairs is to document everything thoroughly.

Document Before You Touch Anything

• Photograph and video every area of concern before moving, cleaning, drying, or covering anything.
• Capture wide-angle shots to establish context, then close-up shots for detail.
• Note the date and time of each image or video clip.
• Keep a written log describing what you found, where, and any visible water staining levels or intrusion points.

Thorough documentation is the foundation of a successful insurance claim. Your carrier will want evidence of the property’s condition as you found it — not after cleanup or remediation is already underway.

Notify Your Insurance Carrier

Contact your homeowner’s insurance carrier as soon as possible to report potential flood-related damage. If you carry a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy, that claim process is distinct from a standard homeowner’s policy. Review your declarations page carefully to understand which coverages apply to your specific situation before filing.

Work With a Licensed Restoration Contractor

After documenting damage and notifying your insurer, the next step is engaging a qualified, licensed restoration contractor — not a general handyman or an out-of-state storm chaser who arrived after the event. Allied Emergency Services was founded in 2015 and carries an active Illinois roofing contractor license. With more than a decade of experience in storm and water damage restoration across the greater Midwest, Allied’s team understands both the technical demands of flood-related repairs and the documentation standards that matter during the insurance process.

A licensed restoration contractor can:

• Conduct a professional, scope-based damage assessment of your property
• Provide a detailed written repair estimate
• Meet with your insurance adjuster on-site during the inspection
• Perform covered restoration and repair work to current code and manufacturer standards

Important: Allied Emergency Services is a licensed restoration contractor, not a public adjuster. Allied does not negotiate, settle, or adjust insurance claims on behalf of policyholders — those services are performed by licensed public adjusters or attorneys. Allied’s role is to document damage accurately, provide a professional repair estimate, and complete the approved restoration work to the highest standard.

If your property in Wedron, Sheridan, Dayton, or elsewhere in La Salle County has sustained water intrusion or related damage, Allied’s team is ready to help you understand your options. Learn more about our storm damage restoration services and how we respond to flood and weather events across Illinois and the Midwest.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Consult a licensed insurance professional or attorney for guidance specific to your policy and situation.

Allied Emergency Services Is Available 24/7

If you have found damage following the Fox River flooding in La Salle County — or simply want a professional set of eyes on your property before you decide on next steps — reach out to Allied Emergency Services today. Our team is available around the clock.

• Call 24/7: (800) 792-0212
• Text ESTIMATE to: (844) 907-2546

Allied Emergency Services has served Illinois homeowners and businesses since 2015. We are licensed, certified, and experienced in the specific demands of Midwest storm and water damage restoration. Our storm damage restoration team is standing by to help you assess, document, and recover — professionally and efficiently.

For ongoing NWS flood updates and river gauge readings for La Salle County, continue to monitor weather.gov for the latest official statements on the Fox River at Dayton.