DuPage River Is Treacherous, Naperville Authorities Warn
(CBS) -- Naperville officials are warning residents that more rain could mean dangerous currents in the DuPage River.
The water is almost up to the sidewalk. Looking downstream, you can see how quickly the water is moving. That's why the Naperville Fire Department is asking people to stay out of the water.
"It's just a dangerous situation," Deputy Fire Chief Rick Sander says.
The river is currently 4 to 7 feet above flood stage, and flowing rapidly in some areas.
"At some stages, it's a Class 3 rapids, which is very high," Sander says.
Cell phone video shot last week shows the rushing water downtown. The current was even stronger farther out. It just three days, seven people had to be rescued from the river, including two kayakers on Friday.
The day before, in two separate incidents, three teens and a kayaker also had to be rescued. And the day before that, another teen.
"I've been here 25 years, and we've never had this many rescues in such a short period of time," Sander says. Normally there are one or two per year.
Along the city's Riverwalk, many were shocked by the water level.
Ellie Leibovitz brought her nephew to feed the ducks but cut the trip short after seeing the river.
"It's rushing, and you can't see the bottom, so you don't know what's underneath you, how deep it is," she says.
Sander also says if people don't heed the warning to stay out of the water, they need to be sure to use life jackets.