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Storm & Flooding FAQ's

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1. Are there loans available to storm victims whose property has sustained weather-related damage?

Yes, go to the State of IL Treasurer's Website for more information. IL Treasurer's Disaster Recovery Loan Program

2. Can I receive weather alerts via email or text messages?

Please visit the Weather Channel's website for information. Weather Channel Website.

3. Is there any property assessment relief for Elmhurst Property Owners affected by the 2010 Storm/Flood?

For residents living in Addison Township please call the Addison Township Assessor's Office at (630) 530-8161.
For residents living in York Township, please visit the York Township Assessor's Website for information regarding the 2010 Storm Damage Assessment Relief Request Form.

York Township Assessor

4. What about Storm Debris that was not placed on the parkway for pickup this week 7/28 to 7/30?

Storm Damage debris will be picked up the week of 8/2 to 8/6 without the need of garbage stickers.

5. Did the Saylor and Jackson sanitary lift station pumps stop pumping in the storm?

See attached memorandum for answer and information. Saylor and Jackson Lift Station (PDF)

6. Could there be pump and generator indicator lights at Saylor and Jackson Sanitary Lift Station?

Yes, the indicator lights have been installed and are operating as of 11 AM on Friday 7/30/10.

7. Why did the storm sewers not do their job and why did streets and houses flood?

The rainfall of 6/23/2010 was recorded as 4.5” in 30 minutes time and the 7/23/10 rainfall was recorded as 7.35” in 8 hours time. Based on the Illinois State Water Survey current rainfall chart both storms were well in excess of 100 year rain event level. Both of theses storms resulted in storm water that significantly exceeds the Elmhurst storm sewer collection system. Elmhurst’s design is for storms from 5-10 year frequency. Storms above this frequency will result in system capacity being exceeded and water back ups. The Elmhurst design capacity is a typical design for sewers in Illinois.

8. How does the Quarry work and did it do its job? Shouldn’t it have eased sewer back ups in Elmhurst?

The Quarry has an automatic overflow feature. For creek flood control in the Elmhurst region of the creek the automatic overflow is all that is necessary. The County can, at their option, control a lower level 8’ diameter gate that allows the county some regional Salt Creek flow control, but is not necessary to control the critical height of the creek thru Elmhurst.
Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility

9. When will garbage be picked up and do I have to put stickers on everything?

Your trash and recycling will be picked up on your normal day. In addition, the City has additional Allied Waste crews currently picking up flood damaged goods. Also, City crews are loading City trucks with garbage and hauling it to the Allied Waste transfer station in Northlake.The City is doing everything it can to remove garbage but due to the extreme volume it will take some time.

10. How does the lift station at Saylor and Jackson work?

The Saylor and Jackson lift station receives the sanitary flows from the homes in the immediate area. The sanitary flows dump into a large wet well located within the station. The submersible pumps at the station then pump the sanitary flow through a force main (pipe under pressure) north to McKinley Street where it is dumped into a junction chamber on the main sanitary sewer line . From there it flows by gravity west to the Elmhurst Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. No stormwater flows into or through the lift station.

11. Where does the stormwater that falls around the Saylor and Jackson area go?

The rainwater that falls in the Saylor and Jackson area is collected via inlets in curbs and conveyed into the City’s storm sewer system. The water flows west down Jackson to Salt Creek and the Jackson Street Stormwater lift station. If Salt Creek elevations are not up, the water flows by gravity through the station and to the creek. If Salt Creek is in an elevated condition the a gate is closed and the stormwater spills into a wet well and is pumped out to the Creek via a 60,000 gallon per minute pump.

12. How come sometimes I can hear the pumps at the Saylor and Jackson Sanitary lift station running and other times not?

The pumps at the Saylor and Jackson Sanitary lift station are powered by electric motors. These motors make almost no noise. The impellers of the pumps are located at the bottom of the wet well approximately 20 feet down and are submerged in sanitary water, the impellers make no audible noise. The noise that is sometimes heard at the Saylor and Jackson sanitary lift station comes from the emergency generator located there. In the event of a power outage at the Saylor and Jackson Sanitary lift station a generator automatically comes on to power the station. The generator is a natural gas powered generator and it does make noise.