Sente Warns Against High Waters and Scammers Following Severe Flooding

VERNON HILLS, Ill. – In the wake of severe flooding in parts of Cook and Lake Counties, State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, is urging residents to observe safety precautions around flood waters and avoid potential scammers who may approach them.

“People often think the danger from severe weather disappears once the storm clouds part and the rainfall ends, but that isn’t the case during severe flooding,” said Sente. “As such, I urge residents exercise caution by avoiding driving, walking or playing in flooded waters.”

Sente cautions residents to never drive or walk through flooded roads, even with shallow amounts of water, nor attempt to push vehicles from water if stranded. Residents should avoid skin contact with flood water whenever possible, as it may carry dangerous bacteria. Anyone who does touch flood water is urged to immediately wash the contacted area. If trapped by rising flood waters or in a potentially life-threatening situation, residents should call 9-1-1 immediately.

“Unfortunately, any sort of natural disaster situation has the potential to attract scam artists looking to take advantage of people during their hours of greatest need,” Sente added. “Residents should be wary of ‘storm chasers’ who may attempt to use the recent flooding to pressure them into making expensive decisions about cleanup or repair work.”

For more flood safety information or assistance finding a shelter, please call Sente’s constituent service office at 847-478-9909 or RepSente@gmail.com. Alternatively, emergency preparedness information can be found at the Ready Illinois website at Ready.Illinois.gov and facebook.com/ReadyIllinois. Residents believing they have fallen victim to a home repair scam should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 800-386-5438.