Illinois River conditions called ‘extremely dangerous’

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) – Emergency responders in northeastern Oklahoma say heavy rainfall and extreme flooding have made conditions along the Illinois River extremely dangerous.

Ed Fite, with the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, says "widespread, catastrophic" damage has been caused to property and roads located near the river.

Fite says water levels at Watts, Chewey and at the Tahlequah gauge sites have reached record-level floods.

The commission says residents shouldn’t drive within the basin after dark. It’s also warning drivers not to go through any roadway that’s covered with water.