Flood April 18 - "How Could This Happen?"

Here's an added link - clicking will open a post dated June 25, 2012, which was sent to municipal and county officials as part of the DuPage County Zoning Appeals for COD. Officials were told in writing of flooding and overflow concerns:  New Window> Flooding Concerns

This is my second post containing videos I took. These were taken yesterday April 18th and show flooding on nearby Brentwood Lane. It appears the levels of the marsh and the South Lake exceeded the height of the berms.  I'm sure that people are asking the question posed in the title of this post.

 I'll be checking the property this morning, but it seems we escaped the worst. There was no flooding on the property, but we were surrounded on three sides by water! The board is still collecting information and I'll assemble a report for the next board meeting.

Certain drainage improvements in the past three years paid off. I was aware of only one area with standing water due to collection. It is the "mosquito glade" behind Harrow, where the earlier board replaced a walk, but decided against drainage improvements. I have sprearheaded other improvements including thinning of trees at the "glade". That will accelerate the drying. One of the earlier board came to an association meeting last year to complain about standing water on the property. I've spend a good part of my efforts in the past three years cleaning up the messes created by others.

Yesterday, the City of Wheaton declared a state of emergency and issued an official press release. That release is at the end of this post. As reported in the Wheaton Patch "Governor Pat Quinn declared a state of emergency as state agencies prepared to provide assistance to local governments throughout northern Illinois dealing with severe river and flash flooding."

Looking Across the Lake Toward Brentwood Lane





Homes on the North Side of Brentwood Lane







Water Exiting the Yards on Brentwood Lane and Running South on Briarcliffe

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information:
City of Wheaton, 630-260-2110

4/18/2013

Wheaton Declares State of Emergency; Avoid Flooded Areas

WHEATON, Ill. – Based on the extensive damage to property, buildings and vehicles caused by excessive rainfall, the City of Wheaton has declared a state of emergency.

Many areas throughout Wheaton are currently flooded. The City of Wheaton recommends drivers avoid the following areas:

• College Avenue train station commuter lots
• Main Street and Cole Avenue
• Blanchard between 22nd and Briarcliffe Blvd.
• South County Farm Road and Shaffner Road area
• Lorraine Road between Roosevelt Road and Evergreen
• Blanchard Road and Heritage Lakes
• Liberty Drive and Blanchard
• Lorraine Road and Buenta Vista
• South Main Street between Roosevelt Road and Illinois Street
• Main Street and Willow

The areas listed above are some of the major roads that are currently closed. Many arterial and secondary streets also remain closed. Please use caution and do not drive through flooded areas.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning until 8 p.m., and a flood watch remains in effect through Friday morning.

The DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in cooperation with Benedictine University, has opened the County shelter at Krasa Center Benedictine University, 5700 College Road in Lisle. The County Shelter is available to residents who do not have any other place to go.

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