DeKALB | There wasn’t a dry surface in DeKalb Monday night after a severe thunderstorm assaulted DeKalb with nearly 5 inches of rain.

According to NIU staff meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste, a weak cold front moved in over the area and mixed with the moist, humid air to form a sort of stagnant storm system that hovered in the area for about 90 minutes, slowing down at about 5:30 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm warning issued for DeKalb County was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm watch at 6:25 p.m., but the damage had already been done.

“We’ve been running pretty crazy since the storm hit,” said Captain Joe Jones of the DeKalb Fire Department at about 9:45 p.m.

As of that time, the fire department had responded to 29 calls, mostly of downed power wires and trees obstructing the roads – many of which were flooded.

Jones also said there were calls of gas leaks in buildings and several automobile accidents in the area.

Besides minor injuries in a car accident though, he was unaware of any other flood- or storm-related injuries having occurred.

Some of the damage and problems observed around DeKalb included:

– power lines down at First Street just north of Lincoln Highway

– large trees down and blocking traffic at First and Franklin Streets

– the intersection of Fourth and Grove Streets was shut down with standing water over 2-feet deep in parts

– a vehicle submerged up to the doors in the Municipal Building parking lot

– the East Lagoon overflowed and spilled onto Castle Drive, forcing a total closure of the road.

– varied power outages among businesses and homes in DeKalb and surrounding area

Castle Drive closing wasn’t the only problem NIU had to deal with as a result of the storm and rain. A generator in Neptune Hall malfunctioned, leading to a fire scare and the evacuation of the building, according to radio activity heard over the police scanner.

Jones said that in addition to the cleanup and response work of the fire and police departments, ComEd workers were on location in several spots around the area working to restore power and safely handle the electrical aspects of the cleanup effort.

While there was flash flooding in certain areas, Sgt. Jon Costliow of the DeKalb Police Department said the DeKalb street, sewer and water departments were called out and able to dry and restore usability to the roads without too much trouble.

Costliow also said the day shift was held over into the evening to help alleviate the extra demand for emergency help around the community following the massive rainfall.

As of about 10 p.m., however, Costliow said the officers on duty were able to sufficiently handle the work for which they were being called upon.