Tales from the Flood: Tragic Stories Pour Out

Photo albums and furniture floating in flooded basements, a Mercedes-Benz ruined by a rainstorm that lasted more than 10 hours and backyards turned into ponds.

They were some of the losses and damage from the July 23 storm that flooded Winnetka and the surrounding area with nearly seven inches of rainwater. The intense record rainfall caused a storm water pump to back up, leaving the water to find its way onto streets and into homes.

According to a report released by the village, the storm water pump station at Ash Street and Hibbard Road--one of six in Winnetka--failed and caused the sewer system to become clogged. A crew had to installed six portable pumps to help with drainage until the underground one was repaired. By the next morning, the pumping station was operating at full capacity.

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Still in the process of cleaning their homes, dozens of outraged residents voiced their frustrations to the Winnetka Council at a meeting on Tuesday, when an hourlong section for public comment allowed people to vent.

Sharing their plight

One by one, residents told their storm stories to the council members.

A woman, who had been out of town, called her son only to find out that her basement was flooded with nine feet of water.

On her wedding day, a bride-to-be and her groomsmen dealt with eight inches of water in her basement on Willow Road.

One Winnetka resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, estimated damages to her home at $400,000.

“We had one foot of standing water in our basement that, mainly, came pouring in through the window wells,” she told Patch via e-mail. “The sewers were at capacity, which is constantly a problem on our street, and the water could not drain.”

Though village officials promised to repair the street and install proper water retention tanks, the resident added, the only thing finished so far was debris pickup of ruined belongings.

About 750 households were reported to have accumulated debris as the water receded, according to the village storm report.

Eager for a solution

Though their stories varied in the degree of tragedy, residents' reactions were the same: They wanted a solution--now.

“I'm part of this village, and I'll help you solve it,” said George Walper, who, along with more than 50 residents in attendance Tuesday night, raised his hand in favor of paying $30 more in his utility bill for storm water projects.

"But I don't want any more studying," he said. "I want you all to take action and spend our money wisely.”