For Immediate Release
Date: 05/15/20
Contact: Public Works, 630-530-3753
Subject: Storm Recap 5-14/15-20, Important for residents during a heavy rainfall event
Elmhurst, IL – On Thursday, May 14, 2020, the City of Elmhurst experienced rainfall totaling of 1.4 inches, with an additional 2.6 inches overnight into Friday morning. The City experienced citywide street flooding to some degree, which cleared within approximately an hour. The Southwest Wet Weather Facility was in operation and water was being pumped to the 2 MG excess flow tank. All stormwater detention facilities were open and active and operated as designed. Elmhurst Police and Public Works Crews worked throughout the night to monitor streets and clear debris from flooded areas. The majority of reports to the City during this storm event included backyard and street flooding.
It is important for residents to understand that street flooding will occasionally happen during significant rain events as designed by the stormwater detention operation plans. The stormwater mitigation system is designed to relieve homes of flooding by redirecting the water into the streets, which then drains into the detention basins. This can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour based on the amount of water. Commuters are cautioned to avoid all flooded streets and not attempt to drive through standing water. Playing in floodwater is also extremely dangerous.
During a heavy rain event, the City often receives inquires on when the Elmhurst Quarry will be open to relieve Elmhurst of standing floodwater. The DuPage County Stormwater Management Team operates the Elmhurst Quarry and is responsible for opening the facility during a heavy rain event. This system takes additional overflow water from Salt Creek and does very little in preventing flooding on Elmhurst streets. During this event, the quarry was operated beginning at about 1:30 am.
It is important to call the Elmhurst Police Department at 630-530-3050 to report street flooding or basement backups. The Police Department is equipped with dispatching the appropriate City Employees to the scene and also keeps record of the incident.
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