The City of Elmhurst experienced a significant rain event on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, when the remnants of Tropical Depression Alberto dropped upwards of 2.5 inches of rain in less than two hours over portions of the City. 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, some for the first time, reducing neighborhood flooding in some areas.    

The City’s Public Works crews worked expeditiously throughout the night to remove debris from clogged inlets and to open City roadways. All major roadways were open with the exception of the overnight closure of Robert Palmer Drive underpass, along with Illinois Route 83 being closed for a period of time.  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.  

In 2017, Public Works Crews cleaned all stormwater inlets throughout the City.  Over the past 3 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.  Additionally, at the upcoming meetings of the City Council, approval is being sought for the Southwest Elmhurst Stormwater Management Facilities, Phase 1 and 2 which will add over 28 acre feet of storage benefiting 121 homes.    

The amount of rainfall for the month of May has set a new record for total rainfall of 8.21 inches for the Chicago area, exceeding the average monthly rainfall of 3.68 inches by over 4.5 inches.  

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