By Connor Boyd

BLOOMINGTON – Residents along waterways should take caution due to rising water levels. Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Tim Schweizer says it helps to check weather and emergency alerts.

“Flood conditions are not best and, with the rainfall that we’ve had in the past couple weeks throughout the state of Illinois, waterways, including waterways that seem in most cases easy to manipulate, are in hazard conditions,” said Schweizer.

Schweizer said that rising water levels and strong currents make way for other safety concerns.

“The other problem we have in flood stage and with the high current is the debris in the water can really knock you off your boat,” said Schweizer. “Stay off the water until things improve.”

Two Illinois residents have already lost their lives because of the recent flooding along the Mackinaw River in Tazewell county.

“If your going fishing or your going boating make sure others know where you’re planning to be”, said Schweizer. “So that if you, perhaps, you don’t come home on time or they don’t hear from you in a while, you can let law enforcement or authorities be rest assured that they know where to start making that search.

Schweizer added that navigating waterways and boating safety largely rely on the boater’s responsibility.