Politics & Government

'Four Times in 10 Years': Elmhurst Residents Outline Their Continued Flooding Frustrations [VIDEO]

The City of Elmhurst provided an update of efforts undertaken since 2010 to mitigate flooding, but residents say it's nowhere near enough.

In addition to a discussion about plans to turn areas at several Elmhurst parks and schools into stormwater retention basins, city officials on Monday provided an update on what has been done so far to alleviate flooding, and the status of Federal Emergency Management Assistance funds.

Since the floods of 2010, the city has been working on flood mitigation, Public Works and Buildings Committee Chairman Jim Kennedy told the standing-room-only crowd, but "we didn't get as much done as we had hoped."

Kennedy reviewed the duties of the sanitary and stormwater task forces, and work done by consultants, RJN Group and Christopher Burke Engineering. He spoke about sewer smoke testing in southwest Elmhurst that resulted in the eventual approval of the Southwest Elmhurst Wet Weather Project.

"It was the No. 1 project identified by RJN and the citizens task force," he said, adding the $6 million project will be completed by summer 2014.

He said 104 areas throughout the city that were identified as "issues on the public side" also have been addressed.

City Manager Jim Grabowski praised the "tireless" work of city staff, who have done "everything they can to help residents understand and cope and move forward" during last month's flood. He outlined pumping station failures that have resulted in repair and replacement of equipment at an estimated cost of $120,000.

But the dozen or so residents who spoke during public comment said it is not enough. (See attached videos.)

Pine Street resident Kathleen Sullivan said after the work of the citizens task force was completed, the engineering plan is still "sitting on the shelf."

"The task force would like to think we were more than just window dressing," she said. "Please implement these projects as soon as possible. … Now is your chance to shine. Got it?"

Geneva Avenue resident Robert Farr said his street is now referred to as "Lake Geneva." He said the explanation he got from the city's Public Works Department about why his street flooded again on April 18 is "not consistent" with reports from residents in the area.

"I'm in no way accusing (Public Works Director Mike Hughes), city management, staff and elected officials of any intentional deception," he said. "But hopefully we all can work together to fix the issue."

Another resident said she has lived in her home for 10 years. "We've completed flooded out four times and lost everything."

It's too early to know if FEMA funds will be available for Elmhurst residents this time around, Grabowski said. 

For all stories related to Elmhurst flooding, click here: Elmhurst Flood 2013

FEMA assistance will only be made available if DuPage County is included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration, according to a statement released by the city Monday. With nearly 50 Illinois counties affected by the flood, it is likely to take a few more weeks before FEMA is able to complete their assessment and make a determination providing assistance.

"FEMA inspectors have been in DuPage since last month," he said. "We expected them (in Elmhurst) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week."

Federal officials contacted the city to say they had completed their investigation and did not come back on Friday, he said.

"I'm assuming they had enough information to meet the threshold (for federal disaster assistance)," he said.

He urged residents to visit the Protect DuPage Website for the most up-to-date information on FEMA.

The city is hoping for reimbursement, as well. He said city expenses have reached nearly a half-million dollars.

"The city will make efforts to get news to residents once something changes," he said.

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here