Disaster recovery is a multi-step process. If a damage assessment team (County staff, staff from your local jurisdiction, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, volunteer teams from Team Rubicon, the American Red Cross or Salvation Army) comes to your door, request proof of the damage assessors' credentials and affiliation. If in doubt, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

We have created an interactive GIS map with the location of all road closings due to flooding. Please do not drive around barricades blocking off flooded roads, and do NOT drive through flood waters - just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. 

Visit the Interactive road closures map.

• Children should not be allowed to play in floodwater.
• Flooding increases the likelihood of the exposure of power lines, electrical devices, extension cords and power outlets to floodwaters, so residents are advised to exercise extreme caution. If they encounter a downed power line, they should not approach it and should immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
• Flooded basements pose similar hazards, and customers should call to have their power disconnected prior to entering a flooded basement.
• Floodwater can quickly erode a road surface, creating large holes and depressions.
• Motorists who encounter a flooded road are strongly encouraged to turn around and find another route. Turn around - don't drown.
• To prevent the spread of disease, people should always wash their hands thoroughly and disinfect food preparation surfaces or containers. Common water-borne illness symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. If persistent symptoms develop after exposure to flood water, seek immediate medical attention.
• Residents who come into contact with flood water should make sure their tetanus vaccination is current (within the last 10 years). The McHenry County Department of Health offers tetanus booster shots - residents can check cost and clinic availability at 815-334-4500. 
• For more information about floodwater safety, please visit the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency's flood safety page.

You should dispose of any items that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected, especially porous and absorbent items (carpets, upholstered furniture, carpets, drywall, unsealed wood surfaces, etc.) Rugs and clothing may be salvageable if they can be laundered with bleach or other disinfectant. But when in doubt, throw it out.

Hard surfaces (hard plastic, glass, metal, etc.) should be cleaned thoroughly with warm, soapy water, and then disinfected with a bleach solution or other disinfectant.

To learn more about disposing of disaster yard waste, curbside pickup, recycling, and open burning of landscape waste, please visit the McHenry County Department of Health Debris Management Fact Sheet.

Most food items that come into contact with floodwaters will need to be discarded. These foods include fresh meats, poultry, dairy items, fruits and vegetables, prepared and processed foods, and crimped, corked, pop-top, capped or screw-top glass or plastic bottles. There is no practical way to disinfect these types of packages prior to opening, and the food containers are not considered to be leak-proof; there is no way to be sure that the foods in the packages have not become contaminated.

Canned goods (i.e. sealed metal cans) can be safe if cans are carefully cleaned and disinfected prior to opening by removing the label, wiping away dirt and silt, washing in hot soapy water, and immersing in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach to 1 gallon of drinking water for 15 minutes. Allow cans to air dry.

Re-label cans with the product name and expiration date, and use them as soon as possible.

For residents whose private well casings have been submerged, drinking water could be contaminated. Use bottled water for drinking until your water has been tested. Septic systems that are underwater will not function properly and must not be used. Not only does using a submerged system further contaminate flood water, it also could create an electrical hazard if the system involves a pump or other equipment.

The McHenry County Department of Health will perform free testing on flooded private water wells for coliform bacteria as well as a nitrate screening after the flood waters have receded and the well has been thoroughly flushed and disinfected. 

Residents may pick up their water sample kits and drop off water samples at the Division of Environmental Health Office at 667 Ware Road, Suite 110 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm, OR they may pick up water sample kits at the following partner township offices: 

• Algonquin Township Office - 3702 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake
•  Marengo Township Office - 4010 N Route 23, Marengo
• McHenry Township Office - 3703 N Richmond Rd, Johnsburg
• Nunda Township Supervisor’s Office - 3510 Bay Rd, Crystal Lake

Water samples must be collected in an approved, sterile sample bottle, which is provided in the sample kit. The Department cannot accept water samples in any other type of container.

Water samples delivered to townships must be collected and submitted on the same day. Samples are only accepted at the township offices above  on Wednesdays from 8:00 am until noon. The water sample must be collected Wednesday morning prior to being dropped off.

All water samples must be accompanied by the water report form included in the sample kit. Please be sure that the water report form is complete.

You can learn more by visiting the McHenry County Department of Health's flood information page.

Sand or sandbags that contact floodwater should not be reused in ways that would involve human contact, such as in children's play areas or gardening. Sandbags visually contaminated by oil or sewage should be disposed of as waste at a permitted landfill.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution by assuming that sand and sandbags have come in contact with floodwater and should be disposed of accordingly. Contact your local municipal or township government to learn more about sandbag disposal.

Because specific guidance can differ between townships and municipalities, it is important to follow the guidance applicable to where you live.  Contact information for McHenry County townships and municipalities can be found at the following links:

Municipalities

Townships

Due to the significant rainfall, there will continue to be large numbers of floodwater or nuisance mosquitoes. Although floodwater mosquitoes can be very aggressive daytime biters, they are not significant vectors for human disease such as West Nile Virus. To help protect against skin irritation, residents should wear long sleeves and long pants. The most effective protection comes from repellants containing at least 25% DEET. Visit the McHenry County Department of Health Nuisance Control page to learn more.

In times of natural disaster resulting in property damage, there often is an increase in door-to-door and phone solicitations by potential criminals and scammers posing as contractors.

We urge property owners to work only with well-established, licensed contractors that they have made appointments with, and to obtain multiple estimates for contracting work. Avoid making up-front payments, and if the cost of the work is significant, have an attorney review the contract before signing.

For more information, please visit the Illinois Attorney General's webpage regarding storm related repair scams.

Flood-damaged personal items and building materials should be removed from habitable structures as soon as possible to reduce the chance of mold growth. This includes removing  damaged carpeting and drywall, which can proceed without permit approvals.

Most repair activities will require building and stormwater management reviews and permits, including, but not limited to, structural, electrical, and plumbing repairs, and replacement of damaged heating and cooling equipment and water heaters. Any site grading or modifications to address flood damage or erosion may also require stormwater reviews and permits.

These reviews and permits are required to ensure compliance with local and federal regulations. Failure to follow these procedures can jeopardize the availability of flood insurance. Permit fees may be waived for property owners repairing flood damaged homes and businesses.

Directions and permit applications are available by visiting the Planning and Development Department Permit Portal. For additional information, contact the Planning and Development Department at 815-334-4560.

For residents and businesses who want to contribute to relief, cleanup and recovery efforts, McHenry County is unable to accept donations. Several not-for-profit agencies affiliated with disaster response and relief, such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois, Team Rubicon, and the United Way, welcome donations.

Donors are advised to verify that the organizations they wish to donate to are legitimate, and to be wary of door-to-door solicitations or those made over social media and through email.