The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for a portion of Rock Island County and Henry County.
Until 3:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, northwestern Henry County and central Rock Island County are under a flash flood warning. The flooding stemmed from an ice jam that started at the 27th Street Bridge and extended upstream to the Route 84 Bridge.
Residents were reportedly being evacuated around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
“Ice jams can develop and break up quickly, resulting in rapid flooding,” said a spokesperson from the NWS. “Be prepared to move to a safer location if flooding develops.”
The warning location included Moline, Carbon Cliff, and Colona.
A spokesperson from Rock Island County said crews have set up an incident command center because of the flash flood. They are encouraging residents along North Shore Drive to be alert for the rapidly rising waters. They should also be aware that it may take a day or more before they can return home so they should bring pets and medications along.
Around 9:30 p.m. emergency management officials said that water levels had receded, according to the National Weather Service. More ice jams were still possible, however, since the river was full of ice.
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