DeKALB | Rampant floods have forced NIU’s campus to close and DeKalb’s Cornfest, NIU’s Friday Fest and all District 428 classes have been cancelled for today.

“This is unprecedented flooding,” said DeKalb fire chief Lanny Russell. “We kept the firefighters from last night’s shift. We have double coverage.”

“I am in the process of declaring a state of emergency,” said mayor Frank Van Buer. “The less traffic we have the better.”

“Governor Rod Blagojevich is on his way to Lee county to assess the damage at a noon press conference,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency communications director Patti Thompson.

NIU has been closed for all non-essential personnel and is currently in a state of emergency closure. This means all non-essential personnel are being urged to leave campus, and will not need to use leave time due to the emergency circumstances.

Sandbags can be picked up at 1216 Market St. and chief Russell said volunteers are needed to help fill sand bags.

The flooded Kishwaukee River can only be crossed at the bridges on Hillcrest and Bethany roads.

At 807 and 817 Taylor St., people were evacuated by boat to the NIU Campus Recreation Center. There are currently 300 people taking shelter there with aid from the Red Cross. NIU Law School, Gable Hall and Grant Towers are all dealing with flood-related issues.