HARDIN, Ill — As floodwaters continue to rise, people in Calhoun County are preparing for the worst flood they've seen since 1993.
The Illinois River in Hardin is expected to crest two feet below that level.
People living there are mounting a last-ditch effort to save their homes.
Calhoun County Sheriff Bill Heffington said if the river crests as expected, much of area near Main Street will be flooded.
Now a massive sandbagging effort is underway in the community to try and stop the water from coming into homes in Hardin.
"This is the worst, this is horrible, this is devastating to our community," explained Calhoun County resident Heather Sievers.
As water levels continue to rise, so does the chance of a terrible traffic situation for people trying to leave town.
"Their one hour commute is now a two-hour commute and if that levee goes we're looking at a five-hour commute. I mean you're going to have to stay away from your family just to make a living," added Sievers.
But all that hard work might not be enough.
"The water is supposed to hit 40 feet and the levee tops out at 39 so the water is going to go over the top of that levee so there's not much we can do about that," explained Heffington.
For the next few days, a whole community will be working to make the best of the bad situation.
"We all manage to band together and that's just what we do, that's just who we are. Small town big hearts," explained Sievers.
If you'd like to volunteer, report to the fire station in Hardin.