IVCC’s gym is serving as an American Red Cross shelter to house victims of the flood.

The gym will be open as a shelter through at least noon on Friday, April 19, according to Sarah Stasik , executive director of the Illinois Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.

Some residents of Ottawa, Marseilles, Utica and Streator have been evacuated, and the IVCC shelter is available with food, showers and cots.

More than 5 inches of rain fell in the Illinois Valley causing flooded roads and basements.

The Illinois River at La Salle had reached 29.4 feet as of 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18 and was forecast to crest at 37 feet sometime on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record for the Illinois River was 33.6 feet.

This is the first time that the college’s newly formed Red Cross Club, under the direction of Steve Swett, has been called into action for an emergency.

In addition, members of the men’s basketball team and women’s basketball coach Pat Cinotte volunteered at the shelter.