Elmhurst, IL — The City of Elmhurst experienced a significant rain event on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Precipitation totals indicate parts of Elmhurst received over 7 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, which equates to between a 50 and 100 year rain event.  All stormwater systems performed properly and as expected.  All 9 of the recently completed new stormwater basins were online and several took water as designed, with a total capacity of 82 acre-feet.

The City’s Public Works crews worked expeditiously throughout the day and night to remove debris from clogged inlets and to open City roadways. All major roadways were open with the exception of the temporary closure (1 hour) of Robert Palmer Drive underpass.  The City experienced some street flooding in various areas, however little to no overland structural flooding was reported. Wastewater Treatment plant staff monitored the pumping stations and plant continuously throughout the storm.  The new excess flow tank for southwest Elmhurst was activated and diverted almost 2 million gallons of wastewater.

Rainfall Totals were as follows:

Prior to this weekends rain event, Public Works Crews have cleaned 2,300 of the storm sewer inlets throughout the City this year. The remainder of inlets are scheduled to be cleaned this Fall. This year, crews have also cleaned and checked the structural integrity of 36 miles of storm sewer pipe. Over the past 2 years, the City has completed 9 Stormwater Management Projects with a total capacity of 82 acre-feet of additional storage. All of these new stormwater basins were online during the recent rain event and several took water as designed.

Please visit www.elmhurststormwaterplan.org for information on the City of Elmhurst Stormwater Management projects and plans.

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