Black Diamond Plumbing Rescues WXLC Employees Trapped by Flood

Waukegan – Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical of Crystal Lake saved employees at WXLC radio station in Waukegan from rising flood waters last week.

Station engineer Paul Buck called Black Diamond last Wednesday for assistance, saying the flood waters were coming into the station- fast. The company is located at 3250 Belvidere Rd. near a pond in Waukegan.

Black Diamond owner Scott Underwood leaped into action and grabbed pumps, sandbags and even an inflatable raft. When he arrived at the station, he found the building surrounded by water with the station employees stranded inside.

Black Diamond employees, dressed in waders, walked the raft to the station building and, one by one, pulled employees to dry land.

Underwood then used pumps and sandbags to remove the water and block the seepage into the building keeping the station equipment preserved.

“It’s times like this when you find out what you are made of,” said WXLC station manager Karl Wertzler.

“The guys at Black Diamond arrived with pumps, heavy-duty sandbags and even a small raft to assist our station personnel in getting from the building to dry land. 102.3XLC was able to remain on the air. We appreciate it.”

Underwood said it was all part of a day's work in the plumbing business.

“This is what we do,” stated Underwood. “When we say emergency service, this is all part of the package.”

The radio station was able to remain in service without sacrificing any valuable equipment.

Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical is a plumbing, electric, heating and air conditioning contractor.

The Crystal Lake company, located 748 Tek Dr., is in its 15th year and prides itself on offering 24-hour service and a “whatever it takes” attitude, according to marketing coordinator Lauren Schubert.