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• Update: After the Storms: Flood Risk Continues; No School for Plainfield
• Rainfall Totals in Chicago Suburbs
  

If you know of something affected by the weather or have photos you'd like to share, email Shannon Antinori at shannon.antinori@patch.com or click "Upload photos and videos" to post them.

Updated at 12:30 p.m. April 18:

Tips for how to deal with a flooded basement, from the Will County Health Department:  

The first consideration should always be physical safety when dealing with a flooded basement. Never enter a flooded basement unless power has been turned off. Open doors and windows to help remove gases in the house. Do not smoke, or use open flames that might cause accumulated gases to explode.

You can clean basement surfaces with a non-sudsing household cleaner and then rinse it as you go along. A good disinfectant may also be used to retard the growth of mold and mildew. A mix of two ounces of liquid chlorine bleach combined with a gallon of water makes an effective disinfectant for most basement surfaces.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is always recommended. Alcohol-based sanitizers should be used if you believe your water supply has been contaminated.

Updated at 10:18 a.m. April 18:

The Village of Plainfield has an updated list of road closings: 

248th between 119th and 127th; Van Dyke between 119th and 127th; 127th between 59 and Van Dyke; Ridge between 127th and 135th; Heggs between 127th and 135th; 135th between Heggs and Route 30; 135th at Route 59 to Naper/Plainfield; Naper/Plainfield Road North of 135th; Route 30 at the Normantown Drain between 135th and 143rd; and Van dyke at the railroad crossing. Drauden between Route 126 and Renwick; Indian Boundary between Renwick and County Line; and County Line from Indian Boundary to Route 126 are also closed. 

River Road is also closed south of Fort Beggs Drive.

The Marybrook subdivision has been evacuated and an emergency shelter has been opened at the Plainfield Police Department, 14300 S. Coil Plus Dr.

Anyone in need of sandbags or anyone who wants to volunteer to help make sandbags should go to the Plainfield Public Works facility, 14400 S. Coil Plus Dr.

Residents are asked to leave refuse and recycling at the curb, since Waste Management is attempting to pick up today.

Updated at 9:50 a.m. April 18:

In the wake of flooding and scattered power outages, the Will County Health Department is offering safety tips for residents.

Households or food-service establishments that have been without power for a few hours should consider discarding perishable contents of refrigerators and coolers to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses.

The contents of freezers are probably safe if ice crystals remain, the heath officials urge residents to heed the adage, "When in doubt, throw it out."

For homes with wells:

Households that rely on private wells should consider using only bottled water, or disinfected water, until the safety of their well can be determined. Using contaminated water for cooking, drinking, dish washing, ice making, tooth brushing, and bathing can result in a potentially serious waterborne illness. You can disinfect water by boiling it vigorously for five minutes prior to use. You can also disinfect your water by using an unscented bleach solution of five-to-10 drops per gallon of water. Mix, and let stand a minimum of 30 minutes before use.

The Kendall County Sheriff's department also shared the following tips for driving in flood conditions:

• 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 sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
• Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may bewashed 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.
• Do not try to take short cuts. They may be blocked. Stick to designated evacuation routes.
• Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Updated at 9 a.m. April 18:

Most major roads in Plainfield are flooded, and residents of the Marybrook subdivision west of Route 59 are being evacuated to an emergency shelter at the Plainfield Police Department, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton.

So far, 18 residents have been evacuated, Stratton said, but others were opting to stay.

Flooded roadways included 127th, 135th, 119th, Indian Boundary, Wheeler Road, Van Dyke Road and County Line Road, along with Naperville-Plainfield north of 135th Street and Ridge Road at 135th and 127th streets. 

"I can tell you what's open — Route 59 is open," Stratton said. "That's about it, and it's getting worse as the day goes on.

"From what I've seen, this is rising faster than the flood of '96," Stratton said.

Emergency crews were filling sandbags at the Plainfield Public Works, 14400 S. Coil Plus Dr., according to Stratton. Anyone interested in volunteering to help should contact public works, he said, at 815-436-3577.

Updated at 8:15 a.m. April 18:

All Plainfield Park District programs for Thursday have been cancelled, according to the park district.

Original story:

Plainfield School District 202 students have the day off Thursday after strong storms knocked out power to several buildings, according to school officials. Flash flooding has also prompted local road closures.

While teachers and students got a free day, 12-month District 202 employees were asked to report to work if possible, according to a Connect-ED message sent out by the district around 6:15 a.m.

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Commonweath Edison was reporting around 500 customers without power in Plainfield and Plainfield Township early Thursday morning. Around 1,100 customers throughout Will County were without power.

As of 8 a.m., the National Weather Service in Romeoville was reporting 4.65 inches of rainfall in Plainfield. An update was scheduled to be posted at 9 a.m.

Plainfield Township’s DuPage River gauge was showing “minor flooding” early Thursday morning.

According to the Illinois State Police, I-94 is closed between Foster and Touhy and Winnetka to Willow, and northbound I-94 at 130th was closed due to standing water. Interstate 290 is also shut down at I-294.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 8:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The Joliet Police Department has issued a list of road closures, including:

• Caton Farm and Ruth Fitzgerald
• Discovery and County Line Road
• Caton Farm and Legacy Point 
• Sierra and Desert
• Vision and Desert
• Caton Farm and Joe Adler
• Canyon and Oasis
• County Line and Indian Boundary
• County Line and Manchester
• Clearwater and County Line

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