Shelter helps people who've lost so much from flooding
Carlos Venegas managed to salvage about half the refrigerated medication he had to treat the tumor in his pituitary gland, and not much else.
Flood water and sewage ruined most everything in the 19-year-old Rosemont man's apartment, where he lives with his mother and sister.
"I don't know where we're going to go," said Venegas. "We don't have anybody around here."
Venegas joined more than 65 displaced residents who took refuge at an American Red Cross shelter at the Des Plaines Park District's Prairie Lakes Community Center.
On Monday night, the multipurpose room served as a gathering place. Some people huddled around the TV, groaning as the Yankees dismantled the White Sox bullpen. Others snacked on cookies and sandwiches dropped off by Good Samaritans. Many were already asleep in their cots, resting up to face the uncertainty that lies ahead.
Venegas sat protecting his cards over a game of Conquien with his Mexican cousin, who's visiting from Guadalajara. It was a welcome break from the constant discussion with his 42-year-old mother, Margarita Perez, over where the family will go next.
They awoke Sunday morning to water at the door of their apartment, just steps away from the Des Plaines River. They watched as it quickly to Perez's knees.
Her first thought: "My son can't be around this stuff." Venegas, who's 7-foot-1, has undergone several surgeries to treat a pituitary tumor that caused his growth hormone to skyrocket.
Along with the medication, they grabbed some clothes when the fire department arrived with evacuation orders. The village of Rosemont provided flood victims a free night's hotel stay.
Monday afternoon, they turned trash bags into makeshift waders to take stock of the damage. The water had receded, leaving a trail of destroyed clothes, documents, a sofa and bed. Even Venegas' work uniform was soiled. "It's garbage," said Venegas.
On Tuesday, Perez planned on waking before dawn to work at a mail sorting station. She would return to the center to shower and eat before heading out to her second full-time job.
They're either going to look for another apartment or move closer to family in San Diego. Maybe there, Venegas can find a treatment better than just regulating his tumor with medication.
"It'll be a new life," Venegas said. "Find another job over there, a new place to live, new friends, new school."
They're not the only ones ruing the decision not to buy flood insurance.
Alfred Rosado, 26, came to the shelter after 3 feet of filthy water turned his Rosemont one-bedroom, ground-level condo into a hazmat zone. His policy covers just $500 worth of food. Most of Monday was spent downtown filling out FEMA paperwork for possible grants or low-interest loans. He said the water was still rising as of that evening.
"For $30 extra a year I'd have it, but who'd think to buy flood insurance?" he said. "Nothing like this has happened before."
It's been an agonizing year for Rosado and his fiance, Cynthia Karczewski.
Their 3-month-old son died of SIDS in April. Now, aside from some pictures and clothes, everything they own is gone. Even his van won't start because of a flooded computer system. They weren't prepared "cashwise," Rosado says.
"It's rough. I lost my son, my car, my house," the independent painting contractor said. "From here I don't know where we're going to go or who's going to address the situation."
Alfred Rosado Sr., who accompanied his son to the center, said life is bound to get better.
"I told him one door closes, another one opens," he said. "Like they say, 'This too shall pass.'"
As Red Cross volunteers tried to track down clean cots for the couple, others continued to lounge around, including a family of five from Des Plaines.
Lili Becerril, a sophomore at Maine West High School, said her parents and siblings abandoned a futile attempt at keeping the house dry with buckets and new pumps.
"We were basically playing with the water," added Jose Luis Becerril, a student at Chippewa Middle School.
It's the first time their house near River Road has flooded in the 12 years they've lived there. Because there's no basement, damage was limited to warped wooden floors, a couple pieces of furniture, and odds and ends in the garage. And of course, the ungodly smell. But with water in the backyard mid-thigh, neighbors weren't as lucky.
The family, which also doesn't have flood insurance, passed the time with a laptop, cards and text messaging. A massive cleanup project awaited them on Tuesday.
The Red Cross helped make a difficult situation more bearable, they said.
"It's nice we have somewhere to go," Lili said. "People have been so nice and helpful."
The Des Plaines Park District opened the entire center to shelter guests, including showers, playrooms and even the gym. Families, single women and single men sleep in separate rooms. A registered nurse is on hand, as well as a mental health volunteer and social worker.
"This is the nicest facility I've ever worked at," said Red Cross volunteer Louis Paolillo, who estimated the shelter took in 65 people on Sunday. "Some have nothing."
About 30 people stayed Monday, including eight or so children younger than 10. Paolillo said the facility can accommodate 150 people, and a truck could bring more cots.
Early on, volunteers were told there may be busloads of displaced residents, but only 19 people ended up coming from Addison. Among them was 54-year-old Keith Nevers, whose basement filled up with 7 feet of water.
He's not sure how long he'll stay at the shelter, which Paolillo said will likely stay open for at least several more days.
Paolillo praised the steady influx of residents' donations including water, snacks and toys. Pamela Loza, of Mount Prospect, dropped off some water and granola bars.
"This place is a godsend," Loza said. "What else would these people do?"
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