SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Transportation officials with the state of Illinois say they’ll study flood prevention methods after the Illinois State Fair was swamped this year.
Heavy rains, as much as nearly 5.6 inches on the first full day of the fair Aug. 12, swamped campgrounds and forced fair officials to cancel some events, the State Journal-Register reports.
Illinois Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Rebecca Clark says the Illinois Department of Transportation will analyze how to improve flood control on the 360-acre fairgrounds in Springfield.
The department says roof leaks and foundation problems in some older fair buildings contributed to the flooding’s severity. Clark says agriculture department staff haven’t determine the extent of damage to aging roofs and building foundations, which already need upgrades.
