Skokie Officials Declare Emergency After Water Main Break

Water Main Break Causes Extensive Flooding and Property Damage

The Village of Skokie Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday night to declare last week’s water main break an emergency. The break, which occurred on Friday, caused extensive flooding on several blocks and prompted a widespread, days-long boil order.

The 36-inch transmission main, which is a crucial water supply line serving Skokie residents from Evanston’s water supply, was the source of the break. It occurred near Emerson Street and East Prairie Road, leaving the entire Village of Skokie without running water until Sunday.

Flooding and Property Damage

The break caused significant property damage, with many residents experiencing flooding in their homes and vehicles. Skokie resident Kathleen Schmidt, a single mother of three, lost both her vehicles in the floodwaters.

“I want to learn what they’re going to do to help us out because insurance is only going to cover so much. This is only going to cover the Blue Book price of the vehicles. My dad’s retired and he lost both his vehicles, which have been with us a long time, so now he has to replace his vehicle, but he’s semi-retired,” Schmidt said. “It’s going to be hard on him and I haven’t paid off my car yet and so financially it’s going to be hard to replace them. We are waiting for insurance to go through; we are waiting for them to even check out our cars. It took two days for them to tow ’em.”

Investigation into Cause of Failure

Public works officials are investigating the cause of the failure, which appears to be a fitting cap installed in 1963. The cap components typically last between 80 and 100 years, and officials are trying to determine what caused it to fail.

Seeking State and Federal Funding

Skokie officials are working to secure state and federal funding for residents who suffered property damage as a result of the flooding. To do this, they are preparing a Preliminary Damage Assessment Report to submit to Cook County Emergency Management and Regional Security.

Residents Encouraged to Submit Property Damage Reports

Skokie residents who experienced damage are encouraged to submit a property damage report online. This will help the village qualify for disaster relief. To submit a report, residents should send an email to riskmgmt@skokie.org with the following information:

• Your Name
• Your Address
• Your Phone Number
• Description of damages related to the water main break or water outage
• Estimate of the damages you have experienced (if you are able to provide one)
• Any other information which you believe to be relevant
• Any related photos

This email is not an application for reimbursement, but rather a way for the village to gather information and qualify for funding.

Conclusion

The water main break in Skokie has caused significant disruption and damage to many residents’ properties. The village is working to secure funding to help those affected and is encouraging residents to submit property damage reports to aid in the relief efforts.

FAQs

* What caused the water main break?
The cause of the failure is currently under investigation, but it appears to be a fitting cap installed in 1963.
* How many residents were affected by the break?
The entire Village of Skokie was affected, with many residents experiencing flooding and property damage.
* What is being done to help affected residents?
The village is working to secure state and federal funding for residents who suffered property damage. Residents are encouraged to submit property damage reports to aid in the relief efforts.
* How can I submit a property damage report?
Residents should send an email to riskmgmt@skokie.org with the required information.