Post Flood Information from the City of Des Plaines

For more information call 847-391-5312/May 2, 2013

Post Flood Information from the City of Des Plaines

Des Plaines Acting Mayor Mark Walsten wants to inform residents who have sustained damage to their dwellings due to the recent April flooding to do the following:

1) Notify your Insurance Company regarding damages to your dwelling.

2) Complete the Flood Damage Assessment Survey which is available online at www.desplaines.org or as a document in the lobby of City Hall, 1420 Miner Street. The City is also conducting door-to-door evaluations/inspections of properties in designated flood hazard areas. If you would like to make an appointment for someone to come to your house, please contact the City's Community and Economic Development Department at 847-391-5380, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday, for an inspection/evaluation. This evaluation is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is required by Title 14 (Flood Control) of the Des Plaines City Code. Inspections apply to all damaged structures and structures within the designated flood hazard areas as shown on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Des Plaines dated August 19, 2008. This process is legally required but also critical to protect the property and the safety of residents.

The City inspectors will require approximately 15 to 20 minutes at each property to inspect for exterior and interior damage. They will record the required information used by the City of Des Plaines Community and Economic Department along with the City of Des Plaines Engineering Department for making substantial damage determinations. After the City has completed the determination process, a written determination will be mailed to the owners of the inspected structures.

3) Select a contractor. Citizens can protect themselves from “Home Repair Fraud” by checking contractors and businesses through websites such as the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, and the City's website, www.desplaines.org/contractors, and by contacting the City of Des Plaines Building Department, 847-391-5380, to verify a contractor's credentials. It is appropriate to ask a “Flood Damage Specialist” if they are licensed by the City or State and request to look at such credentials. Please be advised to look out for your neighbors and to contact the Des Plaines Police for anything suspicious. The Des Plaines Police Department is taking a proactive stance on this topic so that the citizens of Des Plaines are aware of any possible scams during this time of crisis. There have been no reported incidents of Home Repair Fraud up to this point in time.

4) Obtain Building Permits. Please be advised that all repairs, reconstruction, and new construction will require a permit, and the permit process will be expedited to the greatest degree possible. The permit requirement is critical for City compliance with FEMA and flood insurance regulations and is important to insure that repairs are conducted safely and in accordance with the Building Code.