La Grange Official Addresses Flooding

LA GRANGE, IL — The results of the heavy rainfall in La Grange over the last few days were similar to what happened after major flooding in 2014, a top village official said Monday. The village received 4.2 inches of rain over a 23-hour period from Saturday to Sunday, which followed 2.1 inches on Thursday and Friday, saturating the ground, according to the village.

The village's stormwater systems reached capacity about 5 p.m. Sunday, which led to water backing up in low-lying areas, said Ryan Gillingham, the village's public works director. Such situations can result in flooding in basements that have no backflow prevention devices, he said.

The village, Gillingham said, has been addressing flooding and stormwater management as a strategic priority, having completed a number of projects. Portions of Maple Avenue, for instance, have been finished, he said. The village is also planning drainage improvements for the 50th Street.

Gillingham advised residents take flood prevention measures such as overhead sewers to prevent basement flooding. "Residents should work with experienced licensed plumbers for what is appropriate for their particular properties," he said.

In a Facebook post about 11 p.m. Sunday night, the village announced that because of the rainfall, the village's storm sewer system was "exceeded," resulting in flooding.

"No kidding?" one man sarcastically responded the post. "Couldn't tell there was an issue as someone canoed by my house."

A woman said she had seen only "very minor" seepage in her basement. She said ever since La Grange and Countryside closed 51st Street, her backyard floods because of how much higher the villages made 51st. "I'm thankful no water in our home," she said.

A resident in the 600 block of South Madison wrote that her basement was flooded. "Will we ever get relief?" she asked.

A man wrote on Facebook: "Same problem in the SW country club neighborhood of La Grange as we've had twice before in the last 10 years. This was at least as bad as August of 2014. Thought this was fixed!"

Another man said it was the first time in 17 years he has had water in his basement.