Thank you to the City of Peoria for their pro-active efforts in response to the potential for flooding.
With the upcoming forecast calling for additional rain in the upcoming days, the City of Peoria announced plans to hold back the water for the Riverfront. As of today, the stage of the Illinois River was 22.53 feet. Flood stage occurs at 18.0 feet. At this time, minor flooding is occurring with the possibility for additional flooding in the days to come.
In anticipation of rising flood stages, City Manager Patrick Urich announced plans to install a flood protection wall to protect the Riverfront from rising water. As of this morning, Public Works crews will begin installing 2,000 feet of the Rapid Installation Barrier System, made by Landmark Earth Solutions, along the Riverfront.
The Riverfront Village parking deck and adjacent parking lot will be temporarily closed as crews work to install the system. Both parking lots will reopen Thursday. All businesses will remain open during this time and the Riverfront Market will continue in the same location on Saturday, as scheduled.
At this time, several inches of water have settled on areas of the CEFCU stage, causing this weekend’s Steamboat organizers to find alternative performing space for the weekend’s popular events.
“Being pro-active in the city’s response to the potential rising water not only ensures that businesses, residents and visitors can still enjoy our Riverfront community, but also minimizes the cost of cleanup and labor that occurs with flooding,” said City Manager Patrick Urich.
All flood prone areas are being monitored, including the parking lot in Peoria’s Riverfront Village, the CEFCU stage and portions of Water Street. The river is expected to rise through the upcoming days, with a 25.2 foot crest to occur by Friday evening.
Given the immediate need to address the rising waters, all public work efforts will be directed to installing the flood protection wall. Residents can continue to report issues like fallen limbs or potholes through the Peoria Cares app, U-report at Peoriagov.org or by calling 494-CARE, but the Public Works staff will address the first priority of protecting the Riverfront from the forecasted high waters.
For updates involving city issues, please visit www.peoriagov.org or the city’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/peoriail) or follow the city Twitter feed (@CityofPeoriaIL)
For more information or weather updates, please follow the webpage for National Weather Service of Illinois http://www.weather.gov/ilx/ or the Central Illinois Emergency Information Facebook page at facebook.com/CIEmergencyInfo.
