NIU and the DeKalb area experienced a smaller version of the Midwest flooding Sunday when a thunderstorm dropped several inches of rain.

The NIU campus was spared by Mother Nature from any major damage occurring.

University Police Officer David Wickstrom said the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue had to be blocked off Sunday night through Monday morning because of flooding. “There was standing water near (Village Commons Bookstore),” he said.

The Student Association Recycling Center also took a big hit in water damage and flooding, he said.

Besides a little water, the only problems police had was “a few calls to assist motorists who had driven into the water,” Wickstrom said.

Superintendent of Building Maintenance Edward O’Donnell said there was some water in buildings but “nothing disastrous.”

Neptune Residence Hall was the worst water-soaked building, he said. The creek that runs near Neptune Central overflowed causing the flooding, he said.

“There was a little seepage here and there,” O’Donnell said, “but fans are drying the floor in Neptune.”

In DeKalb, no major problems were reported. Hillcrest Drive and Greenbrier Road were flooded and some of the fraternities took advantage of it by playing in the flooded streets.

Parts of Sycamore and DeKalb County were not as fortunate as NIU. The Evergreen Village trailer park in Sycamore was evacuated after water reached levels up to four feet. “We had to evacuate 300-400 people from the park,” said DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott.

The Kishwaukee River spilled over its banks at about 31 feet and caused the park to flood, he said.

There are 153 mobile homes in the park, Scott said. Commonwealth Edison and Northern Illinois Gas were called in to shut off utilities, Scott said.

Residents of the park were allowed to return at about noon Monday and power and gas also has been restored.

Road wise in DeKalb County, Swanson and Schaffer Roads were closed Sunday, but reopened Monday.

There also was some flooding on Plank Road, but it did not close, said DeKalb County Engineer Cliff Adams.

“Everything’s pretty much back to normal,” Scott said.

The months of flooding in the Midwest have caused at least 31 deaths, $10 billion in damage and made at least 22,000 homes unlivable.

Sunday’s heavy rain caused the Mississippi River to crest Sunday night at 46.9 feet, a new record. No new thunderstorms are expected to batter the Midwest, according to the Associated Press.