We know now we all need flood insurance
Living high above the Fox River, Chris Braiske never considered flood insurance. But then came the surly storms that ripped 250-year-old oaks from the ground, sent the Fox River soaring and turned neighboring Dundee-Crown High School's expanded parking lot into a lake.
That lake poured into Chris' Carpentersville area basement, leaving her with 4 feet of oily mud, debris and muck. "It was horrible," Chris said from her home where she's still healing from hip replacement surgery. "This is unreal."
Her wedding dress was ruined. So were many of her husband's suits and countless other belongings, books, furniture, you name it.
Not to mention the 1957 Corvette, the 2006 Honda sedan, and a pickup truck caught in the deluge. Heating and air-conditioning systems, water heater, just about everything, damaged. Many of you, unfortunately, sure know the drill after recent weeks.
Her advice for the rest of us?
"Get flood insurance," Chris said.
Adding insult as they struggle with cleanup is the frustration of trying to get someone to take responsibility.
She's contacted everyone she can think of for help, including the village of Carpentersville (her home is in an unincorporated area), Dundee Township, and Community Unit School District 300.
The Braiskes' home has never flooded in 18 years, and they believe it still wouldn't have if long grass and weeds school landscapers had just cut hadn't clogged the drain. So far, only Dundee Township Highway Commissioner Larry Braasch has responded to their pleas, but it's not really his turf.
Hopefully, school folks are just sidetracked by this first week of school and village officials by storm cleanup and will soon be responding as well.
Could this be you?
Wonder if you're at risk for flooding? Go to www.floodsmart.gov, where Federal Emergency Management Agency officials will tell you if your flood risk is high or low. Still, everyone is at some risk for flooding. Just ask the Braiskes. Their address comes up as "moderate to low risk." Hmmm, so did mine.
Fun times ahead
Weather permitting, there is lots of fun coming up in the northern Fox Valley. Plans for the 10th annual Heritage Fest Sept. 14, 15 and 16 in downtown East and West Dundee, are in full swing. Live music, plenty of food and drink, children's activities, crafts, Indian and Civil War reenactments and more are in store. Save the dates! Click on www.west-dundee.il.us for details. And they're looking for volunteers. Call (847) 551-3800.
East and west
Julie O'Leary of East Dundee asked me to tell you there's still time to sign up for the Dundee Road Race, a 5K Walk/Run and 10K run as well as a Kids Dash Sept. 16 at the Depot in downtown East Dundee.
In addition to runners and walkers, they too need volunteers. Call (847) 894-2223.
Then the River Street Art & Wine Festival starts at 10 a.m. with wine sampling, dozens of artists, a children's art area and live jazz music.
One of those artists is Anne Marie Cina of Algonquin, who will be showing her watercolors at what sounds like a fun event. Stop by!
Still more fun
You don't have to wait to play. Drop by Carpenter Park in Carpentersville between 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday when the village celebrates its 120th anniversary with Autumn Fest, including fun, food and music and a parade.
Carpenter Park is at Lord Avenue and Maple Street. The parade will start at noon. Don't miss out on the fun!
Wow!
Those Cubs have been something, haven't they?