Batten down the hatches, the Kankakee Valley is in for a wild ride courtesy of Mother Nature. A wind advisory and a flood watch are both in effect for the entire WKVI listening area, and the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis-Route 30, which will affect Starke, LaPorte and St. Joseph Counties. Flood stage for the river in that area was 9.4 feet and steady late last night. Flood stage is 10 feet. The river is expected to rise above flood stage this morning and crest near 12.7 feet early Saturday morning. That’s still considered moderate, as extensive agricultural flooding doesn’t officially occur until the river hits 13 feet in that area. The more immediate concern is the wind advisory, which takes effect at 11 a.m. EDT and remains active until 8 p.m. EDT. Strong southerly winds are expected late this morning and into the afternoon. Forescasters say sustained wind gusts of 20 to 25 miles-per-hour with gusts of up to 45 MPH can be expected ahead of a strong cold front. Thunderstorms will also push through the area, packing wind gusts of 50 miles-per-hour. Driving high-profile vehicles like SUV’s and vans will become difficult at times. Scattered tree and power line damage is also possible.
