CALHOUN: Flash flooding wrecks roadways in Calhoun County

By Editor | July 30, 2025 |

The end of Michael Hollow Road and Rt. 100. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Damage from the past weekend’s flash flooding in Michael. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Road damage caused from the weekend’s flash flooding. (Submitted by Angel Myers)

By Diane Brangenberg

Saturday night’s storms dropped up to 11 inches of rain in some areas and caused flash flooding throughout Calhoun, especially the North end of the county. Forcing families to leave their homes for their safety and some to leave their cars and seek shelter.
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department issued a post on their Facebook page early Sunday morning warning residents that Route 100 from Kampsville to Michael was closed due to flash flooding. Flooding, debris and dangerous road conditions required a number of other roadways to be closed as well.
North Hamburg-Michael Road, Gresham Hollow Road, Degerlia Hollow Road, Poor Farm Hollow Road, Gresham Hollow Road, Indian Creek Road, Pancake Hollow Road, Irish Hollow Road, Michael Hollow, Wild Cat Hollow Road and Brangenberg Hollow Road were some of the roadways that were reported to have been impacted. Some required complete closures with sections of the road being impassable due to water and some were destroyed due to damages.
Calhoun County Highway Department worked all day in the extreme heat clearing debris as did Illinois Rural Electric trying to restore power to many.
The Town of Michael was especially hit hard with many homes and cars being flooded. Sunday evening Michael Hollow Road still remained closed and some on the West Side of Calhoun were still without power.
Although there was significant damage, there were no severe injuries reported as a result from the flash flood. However, first responders were called for some water rescues.
The Hardin Fire Department along with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted water rescues for two individuals trapped in a car.
A call came in at just after 12 a.m. on Sunday morning for a vehicle that had washed off the road along Hamburg-Michael Road with the occupants trapped inside.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the call and requested assistance and a truck from the fire department. Although the water reached up to the headlights of the fire truck, they were able to reach the vehicle and get the occupants to safety.
“Calhoun County Highway Department crews have been working diligently to help restore our roadways, but there was a lot of damage and not all has been repaired yet. Please use caution and plan alternate routes as needed,” the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office stated Sunday. “Thank you to our Highway Department, IDOT, linemen, and to all our citizens who have been working non-stop to clear cars from ditches, debris from roadways, repair roads and culverts, and restore power.”
This is the second flash flood to hit that same area in the past 14 months. The last time being Memorial Day weekend of 2024.
■ Steven Spencer also contributed to this article.