News

Des Plaines continues to clean up after river flooding

Posted September 17, 2008 11:00 pm

By Sue Ter Maat

Tom Pagels piles wet and damaged basement items on the curb of Henry Avenue, one block west of River Road just north of Algonquin Road in Des Plaines. Pagels said he had more than $4,000 in home and property damage. George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Des Plaines continued to recover Wednesday from one of the largest rainfalls in the city's history, which once again saw the crested Des Plaines River flooding local basements, streets and sewers.

At the corner of Algonquin and River roads, bags of garbage, couches and mattresses sat out in piles at the curb as people put out ruined items for pick up. These homes sit across the street from the river, which was still up over its banks if not over the concrete barriers on Wednesday.

Des Plaines officials said residents should put flood-damaged garbage out for regular pick up, which will continue through next week. But garbage disposal crews will not be taking landscape waste this week. That's because trucks will be used to pick up the extra garage like waterlogged carpets, furniture, computers and mattresses, Des Plaines officials said. An estimate of how much money the city has lost due to the floods has not been finalized, said Deputy Police Chief Mike Kozak.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared the county a disaster area, so the city will ask for relief funds, he said.

The Salvation Army will be handing out flood cleanup kits from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Des Plaines New Apostolic Church, 1740 Rand Road, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the Des Plaines Park District Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St.

The Des Plaines River will take a few days to fully recede, so flooded basements, streets and sewers will continue to be an issue for many, officials said. Damages should be reported to insurance companies, city officials said.

So far, there have been no complaints from residents about shifty contractors, but residents are advised to be careful when hiring professionals to fix their homes. Officials said only use licensed contractors. Residents can call the city's building department at (847) 391-5370 to see if a contractor is licensed to work in the city. Also, make sure to obtain a written estimate and read the contract carefully, officials said.

Helpful resources

• How to navigate the flood insurance process: state.il.us/iema

• How to repair your flooded home: www.redcross.org

• How to make sure the air in your flooded home is safe: epa.gov/iaq/flood/index.html

• How to make sure your food, health and water is safe: www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods

• How to see if your service providers are legitimate: chicago.bbb.org

Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotline, (800) 386-5438

Illinois Emergency Management Agency, (847) 294-4717

Cook County's Building and Zoning hotline, (312) 603-0507

The National Weather Service Flood Stage gauge shows the Des Plaines River's flood level by the Miner Street bridge on Route 14 in Des Plaines. Des Plaines engineer inspector Bill Kinsella said the river was 2 feet lower than when he measured on Sunday. George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Des Plaines engineering inspectors Bill Kinsella, left, and Tom Maslanka measure the depth of the Des Plaines River by the Miner Street bridge. Kinsella said the river was 2 feet lower than when he measured on Sunday. George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

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