WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderPec River in Shirland hits highest water level in 35 years

Pec River in Shirland hits highest water level in 35 years

By Marissa Alter

SHIRLAND (WREX) - Flooding along the Pecatonica River in Shirland reaches historical heights. It's at 15.4 feet, a crest the Pec hasn't hit in 35 years. There are a couple roads and bridges over the river closed because of the water: Shirland and Highway 75, Oliver Road. Shirland's fire chief says the good news is the worst of it is farmland and forest preserve, not homes. But that didn't stop some people from evacuating anyway.

The Driussi family packed up a few essentials from their Oliver Road home and loaded into a rowboat.

"We're leaving for a few days," explains Cathy Driussi. "We're going go stay with my mom in Winnebago."

Water hasn't reached their house yet, but the driveway is flooded. It's waist-deep which means they can't leave in a car.

"Never seen it [like this] in 16 and a half years," says Ray Driussi. "This is the worst."

That was the consensus from all neighbors.

"I have never seen it come up to this bridge," says Oliver Road Resident Mary Jane Koch. She's lived there for 32 years.  "It's been close but not like this."

Records show the river's only been higher than today nine times. The most recent: 1975. This is only second time the river has been this high due to heavy rainfall. All the other crests were caused by rapid snowmelt.

Koch says she figured there'd be some flooding after last week's rainfall. "But I didn't dream it'd be this bad. Luckily our house is up high enough, I think we're ok if it doesn't come up any more. So please, no more rain."

For a closer look at the Pec's flooding history in Shirland, head to the 13 Weather Authority Weather Blog.