Well, I went down to look earlier and water was coming up from the drain. First time since '69. Anyway, my basement is a little bit like a funnel ... high on each end of the drain, so I started picking stuff up and blocking with towels progress going toward washing machine and dryer. Then I went up stairs and doorbell rang. It was next door neighbor. She asked if I was flooded, I said yeah, it's comin up. She said they already had 2 ft of water. I mulled around for a bout 10 min, checked the basement, and water had stopped coming up ... just sitting. I put on rubber boots, and begin to throw some water in the sink and when I did that, the water at the drain started going down. All gone now. Deepest was about 5 inches at the drain, then fanned out to maybe an inch everywhere else. I was lucky. But this has never happened before. I went to check on neighbors and most everyone of them down from me and across the street reported 2ft of water. Crazy weather. Don't like it, and we are supposed to get more rain tonight. I hope the worst is over. You couldn't get through to PD or FD, or 911 which is understandable, but I thought what if you got hurt ... there would be no one you could call.
We got a little trickle. The rest of the block got it BAD. The street was a RIVER. Storm drains were blocked. It all went down quickly though....
Water was up to my car trunk...
Quote from: billyjean on June 23, 2010, 08:27:05 PM
First time since '69.
I remember getting it once back in the very late 70s or early 80s in South Berwyn.
No "flooding," per se, but we did get water it the basement due to the Polish configuration of our basement door and the rain blowing sideways.
Riverside got shellacked.
There was a massive tree uprooted at its base and lying diagonally all the way across Quincy about two hours ago.
5 inches wall to wall in the basement - was like Buckingham Fountain coming out of my floor drains. Never happened before - always dry as a bone - the whole side of my block got it. Tree limbs everywhere - the outfield at Proksa like a lake - I don't ever remember seeing rain like that.
Quote from: billyjean on June 23, 2010, 08:27:05 PM
Well, I went down to look earlier and water was coming up from the drain. First time since '69.
Same with me... first time in my 25 years of owning my house did I get water coming up through the drain pipes. My electricity has been out for 12 hours so the sump pumps are not going and the water has reached almost floor level in the holes where the sump pumps are.
Ted,
Don't you have a battery backup system with the sump pump, or have the batteries already drained? Either way, good luck to you.
Have you tried a manual bilge pump or water transfer pump power off an alternative source like a generator or power inverter plugged into your car (though I am not sure of the grounding issues with that option)?
Quote from: Ted on June 24, 2010, 08:00:24 AM
My electricity has been out for 12 hours so the sump pumps are not going and the water has reached almost floor level in the holes where the sump pumps are.
i got a little water... but not as bad as my neighbors....
Is there a conspiracy theory here? Kenilworth didn't get it... but Clinton did... the way my son explained, the water was comming up from the 4 drains that run thru the middle of my bsmt... and then all of a sudden... like someone flushed the toilet (or opened the sewers) the water went down the drains... whats up with that?
BTW.... what do we do with the tree branches?
Yeah, we had it bad, too. But things are looking a little less dire this morning. We lost some irreplaceable memories, but it could have been worse.
Question though - we have a lot of stuff we have to toss. Will we get a ticket for putting all that trash out back? There's no way it's going to fit in our one trash can...
Where do you live, Jo?
Guy - same thing happened in my basement - one minute the drains were gushing, the next minute, draining. Berwyn supposedly got 2 1/2 inches of rain - probably the sewers were overloaded and needed a chance to catch-up.
How does a sump pump help with water coming up from the drains? A sump pump evacuates a high water level surrounding the foundation, no?
The only thing that would have helped me last night was a huge , portable pump that was able to pump out onto my driveway as fast as the drains were gushing. We hosed and vacuumed the hell out of the basement carpet - I'm wondering how bad it's going to smell - the water gushing up looked pretty clean - definitely not sewage.
Quote from: Guy_on_Clinton on June 24, 2010, 08:59:56 AM
i got a little water... but not as bad as my neighbors....
Is there a conspiracy theory here? Kenilworth didn't get it... but Clinton did... the way my son explained, the water was comming up from the 4 drains that run thru the middle of my bsmt... and then all of a sudden... like someone flushed the toilet (or opened the sewers) the water went down the drains... whats up with that?
BTW.... what do we do with the tree branches?
We got water, not a lot, but enough to make a bit of a mess.
I think tree branches go near the side of the street for PW to pick up.
I remarked to someone "well, I guess these new sewers that were put in" what? back in 2000? or so ... couldn't handle the storm. I was then told that new sewers were not put in. That the sewers only were lined with material that would prevent water from seeping from the sewer to the ground from the original brick sewer. Hmmm.
Guy On Clinton, states that it was as if someone flushed the toilet and then the drains opened up. I was told that due to operating rooms and pathology rooms in basement of MacNeal, that MacNeal stands 1st in line to be drained out. That they can direct who gets drained out first and MacNeal gets done first. Once MacNeal is done, that then causes the "flush the toilet effect" when it is then OUR turn for water to begin draining out. Can anyone talk about this? Is that true?
Quote from: Homebody on June 24, 2010, 10:15:02 AM
Here is some information that I received this morning from Robert Schiller, Public Works Director. Please pass it along to your neighbors who may not have power or phone service. Thanks, Marge
E-mail received from PW Director Robert Schiller
June 24, 2010
Re: Storm Damage of June 23, 2010 and City Assistance
All,
The City of Berwyn has been hit with a second destructive summer storm in less than a week. PW, PD & FD staff has been working since Friday June 18th cleaning up storm damage. The first storm knocked out power to 554,000 homes in the Chicagland area. The last of these homes had power restored Tuesday. This evening Public Works staff was called in to address flooding and clear trees from roadways (while their own basements were flooded) from this second wave of destruction. There appears to be as many or more Berwyn residents without power from the latest round of storms than the first. PW, FD & PD combined efforts to open roadways and clear hazards.
The City has been experiencing higher than average rainfall which saturates the soil. Today's rainfall was approximately 2 inches in a very short time so the combination of the already saturated soil and rapid influx of rainwater into the MWRDGC sewer system created a substantial amount of flooded basements, roads, etc. There were sewer covers that were "blown off" of their castings due to the amount of pressure in the system. As the rains let up, the flooding subsided but the clean up remains.
City Staff will continue to offer assistance as manpower and equipment allow, understanding the equipment used in Public Works is for construction purposes. The Police Department Dispatchers were great under pressure (as always) and have prepared a list of homes that experienced flooded basements. PW and Emergency Service staff will contact the homes on the list Thursday morning to identify if assistance is still needed and if so what type of assistance. We understand that some residents are without power for the second time in less than a week and will try to be understanding and compassionate while answering residents concerns.
Pumps owned by the Public Works Department and Emergency Services are heavy duty construction pumps. They remove water quickly but will leave six inches of water when completed. Smaller pumps, referred to as "puddle pumps" or "pool Pumps" can then be used to remove most of the water.
I will make myself available to speak with residents to offer options for clean up methods. In closing, we will work tirelessly to clean up the streets of Berwyn with as little inconvenience to our residents as possible.
Ok, only one thing. The storm just happened yesterday. When it happened you could not reach the Police, Fire, or anyone else. 911 did not answer either. So here we are the next day, and PW already has a list of homes that flooded !!!! come on. Am I on that list? Is Ted, Pauley? all my neighbors? I don't think so. How did they compile this list so fast, how were they notified that homes were flooded when all communication was out either do to homes losing power, or could not get through to any city services? I hate when they put out these PR notices.
Quote from: Robert Pauly on June 24, 2010, 09:55:32 AM
Where do you live, Jo?
Guy - same thing happened in my basement - one minute the drains were gushing, the next minute, draining. Berwyn supposedly got 2 1/2 inches of rain - probably the sewers were overloaded and needed a chance to catch-up.
How does a sump pump help with water coming up from the drains? A sump pump evacuates a high water level surrounding the foundation, no?
The only thing that would have helped me last night was a huge , portable pump that was able to pump out onto my driveway as fast as the drains were gushing. We hosed and vacuumed the hell out of the basement carpet - I'm wondering how bad it's going to smell - the water gushing up looked pretty clean - definitely not sewage.
Learn from my mistakes- toss the carpet. Unless it is an indoor/outdoor design the smell gets worse by the day, especially if you have a pad below it.
The portable pump does not need to be that huge. The little 1/2 HP water transfer pumps can do a tremendous job (almost 1,500 gallons per hour depending on the height you are pumping). Just make sure to have a noncollapsable hose (it will suck a garden hose closed).
Those ComEds people are funny guy. I got a recording call right
during the storm telling all about the Smarts Meter they put in house.
Cheers,
Stanislov
Operating rooms at MacNeal are on the second floor. Only medical things in the basement are physical therapy and the morgue.
FYI, I pinned Marge's post at the top.
I had 2-3" water in the basement. Not too bad considering some of my neighbors.
The water/storm surge blew the heavy metal sewer cover off at 34th & East. It was laying at least 10 feet from the sewer !
All of the 3400 block of East got water, both sides of the street.
All of the 6500 block of 34th St. on the South side had flooding.
Most everyone I spoke to (6 people) on the East side of 3400 block of Clarence had water. Bummer.
Power went off last night 6:15 pm went on today at 9:15 a.m.
Can't believe everything in the freezer was still frozen solid !!!
Quote from: EC on June 24, 2010, 11:52:02 AM
Operating rooms at MacNeal are on the second floor. Only medical things in the basement are physical therapy and the morgue.
well, i was told there are a few operating rooms and pathology. Just say you are right ... whatever is down there, I just want to know if it is true that MacNeal gets drained first and the rest of us wait for our turn. That's all I really want to know. If that is a truth, and could be responsible as to why ppl who never or hardly get flooded, all of a sudden were flooded, I'd like to know. Just want some understanding of how our sewer system works in a situation like this, and if someone does make a decision on how water is diverted and drained. Or is there no such thing. Anyone?
Quote from: EC on June 24, 2010, 11:52:02 AM
Operating rooms at MacNeal are on the second floor. Only medical things in the basement are physical therapy and the morgue.
well, i was told there are a few operating rooms and pathology. Just say you are right ... whatever is down there, I just want to know if it is true that MacNeal gets drained first and the rest of us wait for our turn. That's all I really want to know. If that is a truth, and could be responsible as to why ppl who never or hardly get flooded, all of a sudden were flooded, I'd like to know. Just want some understanding of how our sewer system works in a situation like this, and if someone does make a decision on how water is diverted and drained. Or is there no such thing. Anyone?
Water on the streets was insane yesterday. i was westbound on The Stevenson when the storm rolled through. Even though the Central Ave. exit ramp is an incline, there was enough water on the ramp to cause vehicles to shoot waves of water to the sides. It was better towards the top of the ramp, but that was in the center lane. The outer lanes of the bridge had inches of standing water and Central & Pershing looked like a waterpark ride with truck wakes & splashing & leaves whizzing by. A delivery truck headed east on Pershing made the turn onto southbound Central (a lil fast for conditions IMO) and threw a wave that reached the northbound Central lanes. Ogden's right lane was a wading pool between Ridgeland & Austin and the side streets were not only filled with water but tree debris as well. What a freakin' mess!
Quote from: billyjean on June 24, 2010, 01:58:47 PM
Quote from: EC on June 24, 2010, 11:52:02 AM
Operating rooms at MacNeal are on the second floor. Only medical things in the basement are physical therapy and the morgue.
well, i was told there are a few operating rooms and pathology. Just say you are right ... whatever is down there, I just want to know if it is true that MacNeal gets drained first and the rest of us wait for our turn. That's all I really want to know. If that is a truth, and could be responsible as to why ppl who never or hardly get flooded, all of a sudden were flooded, I'd like to know. Just want some understanding of how our sewer system works in a situation like this, and if someone does make a decision on how water is diverted and drained. Or is there no such thing. Anyone?
There are no operating rooms on the lower level. Pathology was (2 yrs. ago)
performed at the lab bldg. (which is on the East side of Euclid next to the parking structure) with the exception of STAT procedures which are done adjacent to the operating theaters on the 2nd floor.
MacNeal has emergency procedures in place for disasters. The City also has emergency plans. For example, in the case of a snow emergency the area around MacNeal would be plowed 1st to guarantee access.
The sewers have no priority to my knowlege. MacNeal has failsafe systems in place for electric, fault tolerance for IT and Telecomm, and auxillary pumps in case of flooding. But sewers are sewers. They just drain into the same system we use as residents. I don't believe there's any "MacNeal gets drained 1st" policy. They just have better drainage running to the main than the older residential buildings.
I also rec'd Alderman Paul's email. Much appreciated.
As of 2 p.m. the Jewel in Stickney was out of bleach !
Quote from: buzz on June 24, 2010, 07:44:31 PM
Quote from: billyjean on June 24, 2010, 01:58:47 PM
Quote from: EC on June 24, 2010, 11:52:02 AM
Operating rooms at MacNeal are on the second floor. Only medical things in the basement are physical therapy and the morgue.
well, i was told there are a few operating rooms and pathology. Just say you are right ... whatever is down there, I just want to know if it is true that MacNeal gets drained first and the rest of us wait for our turn. That's all I really want to know. If that is a truth, and could be responsible as to why ppl who never or hardly get flooded, all of a sudden were flooded, I'd like to know. Just want some understanding of how our sewer system works in a situation like this, and if someone does make a decision on how water is diverted and drained. Or is there no such thing. Anyone?
There are no operating rooms on the lower level. Pathology was (2 yrs. ago) performed at the lab bldg. (which is on the East side of Euclid next to the parking structure) with the exception of STAT procedures which are done adjacent to the operating theaters on the 2nd floor.
MacNeal has emergency procedures in place for disasters. The City also has emergency plans. For example, in the case of a snow emergency the area around MacNeal would be plowed 1st to guarantee access.
The sewers have no priority to my knowlege. MacNeal has failsafe systems in place for electric, fault tolerance for IT and Telecomm, and auxillary pumps in case of flooding. But sewers are sewers. They just drain into the same system we use as residents. I don't believe there's any "MacNeal gets drained 1st" policy. They just have better drainage running to the main than the older residential buildings.
Thanks for responding, buzz.
Quote from: jake on June 24, 2010, 08:48:01 AM
Ted,
Don't you have a battery backup system with the sump pump, or have the batteries already drained?
Jake,
I have two pumps (one ejector, the other sump) but they are both electrically operated. The electricity was out for 17 hours, which is also the longest I can remember as well.
Once the electricity was put back on, everything was pumped out. I only had a little bit on the floor that I mopped on. But, it was scary seeing the water go through the lid on the wells and the drain, which is capped.
Obviously water will go through or around hard solid lids and caps if it wants to and there is enough pressure.
Ted
Scary? The water started coming up from our two floor drains - I mobilized my wife and eldest daughter to fight the flood - despite vacuuming and bailing water through the basement windows, within 10 minutes the entire floor was covered with about 5 inches of water. There was nothing that could have been done - Mother Nature was too strong - we went upstairs and had dinner (out of respect to the storm, mine was liquid) - we cleaned and hosed and vacuumed the rest of the night.
In the aftermath, we have some minor drywall damage - to you, jake, the rug stinks to the high heavens - the smell is penetrating the entire house - we're running the (new) dehumidifier, and dragging the carpeting out today.
And from what I heard from friends and neighbors, we got off easy - such an event.
We're awfully close to the hospital and if they do in fact "drain" MacNeal first it certainly had no effect for us. We got water too. Our basement is unfinished (thank God) and we're pretty much all cleaned up now. It probably helped that I had a partial bottle of both detergent and bleach with the caps off that overturned in the water. We still went and bought more bleach and did the floor again to be on the safe side. In almost sixteen years I have never seen the kind of water we had in our back yard. Again, I feel lucky. One neighbor related how they know someone about a block away who just had their basement finished and it was gorgeous with even brand-new leather sofas and it's all ruined from the water.
Quote from: buzz on June 24, 2010, 07:44:31 PM
The sewers have no priority to my knowlege. MacNeal has failsafe systems in place for electric, fault tolerance for IT and Telecomm, and auxillary pumps in case of flooding. But sewers are sewers. They just drain into the same system we use as residents. I don't believe there's any "MacNeal gets drained 1st" policy. They just have better drainage running to the main than the older residential buildings.
Not sure about the south side, but the main on Oak Park Ave. is large enough to walk through standing up, which is perhaps why those on OPA were bone dry.
Quote from: Ted on June 25, 2010, 06:19:21 AM
Quote from: jake on June 24, 2010, 08:48:01 AM
Ted,
Don't you have a battery backup system with the sump pump, or have the batteries already drained?
Jake,
I have two pumps (one ejector, the other sump) but they are both electrically operated. The electricity was out for 17 hours, which is also the longest I can remember as well.
Once the electricity was put back on, everything was pumped out. I only had a little bit on the floor that I mopped on. But, it was scary seeing the water go through the lid on the wells and the drain, which is capped.
Obviously water will go through or around hard solid lids and caps if it wants to and there is enough pressure.
Ted
So I guess the answer to Jake's question is "no." Ted, you need battery backup! Oy...
From what Bob describes it might not have kept up anyway.
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on June 25, 2010, 08:28:06 AM
In almost sixteen years I have never seen the kind of water we had in our back yard.
Thinking back, I remembered that our area has had this same type of damage before. It was the year that tornado ripped through Plainfield. Was that in 1993 ?
Anybody have any idea what it costs to have overhead sewers put in?
No idea about cost but we have em and we were the only ones on the block to stay relatively dry.... just some seepage from the walls.
Quote from: dukesdad on June 25, 2010, 10:14:00 AM
Anybody have any idea what it costs to have overhead sewers put in?
What are overhead sewers?
http://www.villageofschillerpark.com/departments/communitydevelopment/building_safetydivision/backflowprevention.aspx
Costs I've seen are 4-6000. Schiller Park has a program to defer the cost, with a grant of up to $1,000.
Too bad part of our 15% tax increase couldn't be used for a program like this which may benefit every taxpayer rather than just our city employees. We know who the mayor is watching out for, and it isn't us.
Quote from: Jo on June 25, 2010, 11:24:08 AM
Quote from: dukesdad on June 25, 2010, 10:14:00 AM
Anybody have any idea what it costs to have overhead sewers put in?
What are overhead sewers?
Rather than having the sewer lines connect from your basement floor directly to the street sewer, the connection to your house is at a higher point. All your basement connections are piped to ejector (sump) pits, and pumped up to this sewer connection.
Rather than this
(http://www.gohammond.com/web/content/images/57dc8e042adbb735125dd3e074144612.gif)
You would have something like this (click to enlarge):
(http://www.gohammond.com/web/content/images/89db67c3672afb3b973edbe74da39b7d.gif) (http://www.normal.org/images/Stormwater4.gif) (http://www.normal.org/images/Stormwater4.gif) (http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/nfpc/fplfpp/ace7_7.gif) (http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/nfpc/fplfpp/ace7_7.gif)
Thank you!
Quote from: Rt. 66 on June 25, 2010, 11:38:12 AM
Rather than having the sewer lines connect from your basement floor directly to the street sewer, the connection to your house is at a higher point. All your basement connections are piped to ejector (sump) pits, and pumped up to this sewer connection.
That's the way my house is configured. The sewer is only a few feet below the ground... what I never understood, though, was why they configured the upstairs bathroom to go through the ejector pump rather than directly out to the overhead sewer. The kitchen sink goes out directly but the bathroom goes through the ejector pump.
The only bad thing about that configuration is when the electricity is out for 17 hours during a severe rain storm and the pumps do not have an alternate generator... LOL.
Ted
Ted, my Grandfather is a former Sewer worker. He told me my former house on the 3200 block of Highland had overhead sewers and "you'll never flood". Well, like you, in the Bermuda Triangle of power outtages for no reason, we only got water the times the battery back up of the sump pump failed. Granted I'm not living there now, I don't know what happened to that house during the storm, but I feel your pain on losing power all the time for no reason.
Quote from: Juliet on June 25, 2010, 06:35:08 PM
Ted, my Grandfather is a former Sewer worker. He told me my former house on the 3200 block of Highland had overhead sewers and "you'll never flood". Well, like you, in the Bermuda Triangle of power outtages for no reason, we only got water the times the battery back up of the sump pump failed. Granted I'm not living there now, I don't know what happened to that house during the storm, but I feel your pain on losing power all the time for no reason.
The last time we got water like this was either in 1996 or 1997- we moved into our home in November 1994. I remember because one of my husband's best friends got married and we were at the reception when our neighbors had the babysitter call us. The groom's parents lived in a house with overhead sewers in the neighborhood they grew up in - Harlem and Belmont. For whatever reason his parent's basement did flood and the next day his father went down to the basement and while he was attempting to clean it up he had an asthma attack and died - he was an asthmatic. Obviously, something I'll never forget.
Quote from: Juliet on June 25, 2010, 06:35:08 PM
Ted, my Grandfather is a former Sewer worker. He told me my former house on the 3200 block of Highland had overhead sewers and "you'll never flood". Well, like you, in the Bermuda Triangle of power outtages for no reason, we only got water the times the battery back up of the sump pump failed. Granted I'm not living there now, I don't know what happened to that house during the storm, but I feel your pain on losing power all the time for no reason.
I like that phrase, Julie - "the Bermuda Triangle of power outtages"... that's what that area of Berwyn feels like... there have been many times where my home's power was out and I would look across Ridgeland and all the house's have their lights on.
What's especially funny is that Com Ed has the power grid facility on 31st between Ridgeland and East Avenue, which is just two blocks from my house... I talked to a guy today at the LaVergne station and he told me that that Com Ed facility only covers the area west of Ridgeland. it's frusrating having a power facility so close to the house yet my house (and all the houses east of Ridgeland) are covered by a power grid miles away.
Luckily, though, my basement has had water only twice in 25 years (and this was the first time water came up through the capped drain). Both times it was because of a long power outage after a severe storm.
Ted
Sorry to burden with bad news Ted, but if your drains had caps
in this storm you most like ruined the clay tiles under the basements floor.
They burst when a drain is caps with that kinds of pressure coming into the house.
Cheers,
Stanislov
Well, Stan, the cap was there when I bought the house. The previous owner put them in and then tiled over the basement floor.
Ted
My mothers old house in Cicero once had a broken clay tile under the basement
floor, and that was awfully expensive to fix. There was digging inside and outside to the
street actually. Many years ago but I remember that being a big pain to fix.
Quote from: Regularguy on June 25, 2010, 08:04:06 PM
Sorry to burden with bad news Ted, but if your drains had caps
in this storm you most like ruined the clay tiles under the basements floor.
They burst when a drain is caps with that kinds of pressure coming into the house.
Cheers,
Stanislov
No, not with overhead sewers. The pressure isn't that great.
If you cap a city connection you're getting the full pressure of the street sewers backing up. With an overhead sewer config you're only getting the pressure of a 10 foot drain pipe filled with water plus a 2 foot cross section of sump. At most, the cap had bad threads or a crack near the top that will let water pass.
Regardless, Ted, you should have battery backup system for your sumps.
Cheers,
Markislov
Here is the latest information from Public Works about how to handle all the storm debris. Marge
All,
I have been in constant contact with Waste Management yesterday and today. We have discussed the increased amount of trash expected from the storm damage and WMs ability to remove it. The following is the agreed procedures with WM to remove storm debris:
Please ask residents to cut carpet into two to three (2 to 3) foot width strips and roll the carpet and duct tape or wrap it with twine so the haulers can easily handle the rolls. Other debris should be bagged and tied closed so it is easily handled by the hauler. Next, for those residents who had furniture damaged; residents should remove all water soaked furniture to be disposed of from the house. It can be staged in the back yard and one piece of furniture per week should be placed next to the toter against their garage for removal. All carpet, bags, boxes, and other items should be neatly stacked for easy pick up on their normal trash day
If debris is piled in the alley and is not easily removed, WM will pass the pile and require a special pick up to be quoted on a case by case basis. Our Building Department has been included with these discussions and will be understanding regarding storm damaged items being staged in residents back yards and will not issue blight tickets for a period of up to three weeks to allow residents to dispose of storm damaged items and follow the above guidelines.
If private trees have fallen and need immediate attention, I can assist homeowners by getting them a quote from a tree contractor for tree and branch removal.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need additional information
Robert Schiller
Public Works Director
City of Berwyn
Ph. 708.749.4700 ext.3300
Fax 708.749.9503
I received a call from the PW Director this morning telling me that there was already a problem with the way some people in the 3rd Ward have been piling up debris in the alley. He advised that Waste Management would pass the house up due to the way stuff had been tossed out. I also heard from neighbors that they are having trouble with scavengers who came last night and early morning to pick through debris. Garbage bags were ripped open. Garbage totes knocked over and picked through. I don't think we can blame residents for not having neat piles of junk.
I sent an e-mail asking if the City could waive the fee and permit requirement for dumpsters for one week to allow people to rent them, perhaps sharing the cost with other households. This would help. Marge
Couldn't WM just send a couple of extra trucks through? Surprisingly, there is not that much junk up here in the 7th. Maybe we got luckier than the 3rd.
Quote from: Homebody on June 26, 2010, 04:37:52 PM
I received a call from the PW Director this morning telling me that there was already a problem with the way some people in the 3rd Ward have been piling up debris in the alley. He advised that Waste Management would pass the house up due to the way stuff had been tossed out. I also heard from neighbors that they are having trouble with scavengers who came last night and early morning to pick through debris. Garbage bags were ripped open. Garbage totes knocked over and picked through. I don't think we can blame residents for not having neat piles of junk.
I sent an e-mail asking if the City could waive the fee and permit requirement for dumpsters for one week to allow people to rent them, perhaps sharing the cost with other households. This would help. Marge
All my neighbors piled everything by the front of the curb ON the parkway so as not to block any parking. I piled all the branches that fell, some pretty good sized ones, on the corner. They came, they cleaned up the block, and from what I see down my alley, no one put any debris like branches etc. in the alley. Not sure if they took opportunity to dispose of stuff ruined in the flood by putting it in the alley. To me it would be no different than Spring cleaning, when ppl go over what they got and just throw away stuff they don't want anymore. WM picks that up. Why would this be any different? I don't see any large items like a couch or anything like that. I think most on my block have just dried out their stuff and will clean it off somehow, and keep it, but stuff totally ruined had to go to alley. Again, however, I don't see anything down my way. I did have broken branches inside the yard from trees inside, those were gathered up (had some tree damage, had to wack off what was broken) and broke them up even more and put them inside bins with covers for yard waste.
This doesn't happen every other week, so I think WM should zip it for the money we pay them.
Quote from: billyjean on June 26, 2010, 05:06:41 PM
This doesn't happen every other week, so I think WM should zip it for the money we pay them.
+10
Quote from: Homebody on June 26, 2010, 04:37:52 PM
He advised that Waste Management would pass the house up due to the way stuff had been tossed out.
Oh really ?
Screw them, let them pick up the slack and earn their $$$$.
Why do 3rd ward peoples not understand? Rules
are same for everyone elses year round, just not because of water.
Cheers,
Stanislov
Ya' sound like bear, with a bad accent.
Quote from: Rt. 66 on June 26, 2010, 06:33:44 PM
Quote from: billyjean on June 26, 2010, 05:06:41 PM
This doesn't happen every other week, so I think WM should zip it for the money we pay them.
+10
I'll second that +10!
Quote from: Regularguy on June 26, 2010, 07:19:22 PM
Why do 3rd ward peoples not understand? Rules
are same for everyone elses year round, just not because of water.
Cheers,
Stanislov
That's right, the rules are the same year 'round and the rules is - WM takes EVERYTHING.
The relatively few exceptions should be noted and folks simply need to plan accordingly by calling... (tires, refrigerators, etc.).
A quick review:
MEAT, TIRES
Quote from: Bear on November 13, 2008, 09:38:26 AM
WM will not take it. Try suburban tire on Ogden and Clarence
WM will take it. You just need to call in advance.
Per WM:
(http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6808.0;attach=5832;image)
Guests: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/mcr_312/forum/WM-Tires.jpg
PAINT
Quote from: Nazerac on November 13, 2008, 10:20:30 AM
What about paint? Do you know if WM picks up paint?
At your service...
(http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6808.0;attach=5834;image)
Guests: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/mcr_312/forum/WM-Paint.jpg
TVs
Quote from: buzz on November 14, 2008, 04:50:27 PM
Just wait til' February, when everyone starts dumping their useless old TVs !
Does anyone know if the City is planning any type of pickup for these ? Isn't there a fee if WM picks them up, or will WM even pick them up ???
The only recycling place I know of is in Naperville. People aren't going to drive out there. They'll all end up in the alley or in some business' dumpster.
Sir, yes, sir.
(http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6808.0;attach=5847;image)
Guests: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/mcr_312/forum/WM-TVs.jpg
...
Quote from: Boris on November 13, 2008, 11:51:46 AM
What about bodies? Will WM pick up dead bodies?
(http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6808.0;attach=5838;image)
This was cut off -
Household Appliances - e.g.: A/C, Dehumidifiers, Dishwashers, Dryers, Freezers (empty and doors off), Furnace, Hot Water Tank, Refrigerator, Stove, Washer.
- Must have 24 hour notice prior to service day
- $20 per appliance must be prepaid by Visa/Master/Amex/EZ Pay via phone or Cashier's check/MO on Front Door.
Microwave ovens are treated as Large Appliances (free)
CARPET- INCLUDED IN MONTHLY COST - MUST BE PREPARED PROPERLY
- CUT/BUNDLED/TIED IN 4 FT LENGHTS - BUNDLES SHOULD NOT BE BIGGER THAN 2 FT AROUND
- 50 LB MAX PER BUNDLE
Sounds like they should take most of this.
Common sense says you don't want a bunch of nasty wet crap sitting in hundreds of back yards.
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on June 26, 2010, 11:40:32 PM
Sounds like they should take most of this.
Common sense says you don't want a bunch of nasty wet crap sitting in hundreds of back yards.
The only other suggestion I would have to ppl is that you shouldn't pile up in alley until night before pick up. That might cut down on those that would rumage through the stuff and make a mess.
Anyone drive through Riverside ? It's all out on the curbs; not 1 piece at a time.
Our residents are the ones that have been affected. I'm not worried about WM. As long as the alley isn't blocked, and there's no health or environmental risk, what's the problem?
Many folks needed help to even get the stuff out of the house, up stairs, carried to the alley, etc.
When I drove home through Riverside on Friday about 5:30, they had FOUR trucks at one intersection and were picking up everything.
As we were cleaning, we made a pile of things scrappers are probably looking for. They took that and didn't rummage through anything. The way we look at it, if this is how these people make a living, why make it harder for them? It didn't cost us any extra effort either. We just stacked anything metal in a pile, then wood, then the rest that didn't fit into the toters along the front of the garage. The metal disapeared in less than an hour!
Quote from: dukesdad on June 25, 2010, 10:14:00 AM
Anybody have any idea what it costs to have overhead sewers put in?
We had an overhead sewer put in about a year ago and it was under $6k. There was no water in my basement last week! I got quotes from 4 different companies ranging from $1k to $14k. The lowest and highest were complete idiots. PM me if you are interested in the contractor I used. It is well worth the expense.
My flooding is evolving from a minor, carpet replacement nuisance to a big-ass project. Doors aren't closing . The bottom of my drywall was soaked and has now swelled and hardened, thus kicking the oak baseboard out from the wall about 1/4 of an inch. The baseboard is going to have to be removed, and 12" of new drywall is going to have to be installed at the bottom my walls. Then repaint ......
Robert Pauly,
Take this as an opportunity to upgrade materials. For example, if you have fiberglass batts in the walls, change to foam (rigid board or sprayed). If you have wooden baseboard and quarter round in the basement, change to plastic-based. And if you have traditional drywall, find the most up to date option to replace it with (blue board?).
What an effing pain in the ass. This is our 4th flood in the 4 years we've lived in Berwyn, but the only one that was backed up sewage (the others were clear water and no big deal). I was downtown when it happened, but my SO said it blew off the drain plugs (which were not terribly tightly plugged, just to be safe). Gross. Lost a lot of stuff - 8 inches, pure sludge and shit. We hired a remediation company and now the basement smells like roses. Just what we needed to force ourselves to downsize, I guess.
So, why was this one so bad? Neighbor next door said he had never had a flood in 25 years until this. What made this one so different?
VD
Quote from: Venn Diagram on June 28, 2010, 06:57:17 PM
What an effing pain in the ass. This is our 4th flood in the 4 years we've lived in Berwyn, but the only one that was backed up sewage (the others were clear water and no big deal). I was downtown when it happened, but my SO said it blew off the drain plugs (which were not terribly tightly plugged, just to be safe). Gross. Lost a lot of stuff - 8 inches, pure sludge and shit. We hired a remediation company and now the basement smells like roses. Just what we needed to force ourselves to downsize, I guess.
So, why was this one so bad? Neighbor next door said he had never had a flood in 25 years until this. What made this one so different?
VD
I heard the drainage valve in Cicero broke and it took them awhile to fix it.
I don't know how credible that is, but it's the only explanation I heard.
Drainage valve in Cicero? Co to jest?
Your mothers spents good moneys to educate,
and this is what she gets?
Przepraszam? I trust you are not duplicating childrens?
Cheers,
Stanislov
Quote from: Regularguy on June 28, 2010, 09:03:05 PM
Drainage valve in Cicero? Co to jest?
Your mothers spents good moneys to educate,
and this is what she gets?
Przepraszam? I trust you are not duplicating childrens?
Cheers,
Stanislov
Your BS is getting old.
Quote from: Regularguy on June 28, 2010, 09:03:05 PM
Drainage valve in Cicero? Co to jest?
Your mothers spents good moneys to educate,
and this is what she gets?
Przepraszam? I trust you are not duplicating childrens?
Cheers,
Stanislov
Anyone here speak with the language of the Ursi ?
Look what your mother got
Quote from: Regularguy on June 28, 2010, 09:03:05 PM
Drainage valve in Cicero? Co to jest?
Your mothers spents good moneys to educate,
and this is what she gets?
Przepraszam? I trust you are not duplicating childrens?
Cheers,
Stanislov
Got 18 inches in the basement last week. None of my garbage was picked up today. Not even the regular bin. One street over is totally cleared... so much for following the rules. Thanks, WM!
Quote from: jailbee on June 28, 2010, 08:45:43 PM
Quote from: Venn Diagram on June 28, 2010, 06:57:17 PM
What an effing pain in the ass. This is our 4th flood in the 4 years we've lived in Berwyn, but the only one that was backed up sewage (the others were clear water and no big deal). I was downtown when it happened, but my SO said it blew off the drain plugs (which were not terribly tightly plugged, just to be safe). Gross. Lost a lot of stuff - 8 inches, pure sludge and shit. We hired a remediation company and now the basement smells like roses. Just what we needed to force ourselves to downsize, I guess.
So, why was this one so bad? Neighbor next door said he had never had a flood in 25 years until this. What made this one so different?
VD
I heard the drainage valve in Cicero broke and it took them awhile to fix it.
I don't know how credible that is, but it's the only explanation I heard.
I don't know how it all works, but I heard from two completely different sources that the Water Reclamation District did not open the locks. As I said, I have no idea how that works, this is only what I have heard.
That whole "drainage valve/locks" is an urban legend I think. It just rained too fast for the system to handle it. Why would one drainage valve or lock control the entire western suburbs? Don't think that's how it works. Anyone else?
Quote from: EC on July 01, 2010, 08:01:13 AM
That whole "drainage valve/locks" is an urban legend I think. It just rained too fast for the system to handle it. Why would one drainage valve or lock control the entire western suburbs? Don't think that's how it works. Anyone else?
I agree. It was just such a huge amount of water that came down that the pipes couldn't take it (the fact we have combined sanitary/storm sewers doesn't help matters).
In the 8 years that I've lived here, there's been plenty of big rainstorms, and this is the first time I've seen a drop. My flooding occurred in 15 minutes - it cleared just as quickly. Urban legend or not, it seemed like someone turned a switch - full on and full off - I'd think an overloaded system would flood and clear in a more gradual way.
Got the insurance agent here now - even before replacing drywall, I'm at my $5,000 max - going to have to increase that coverage now.
Wasn't the infamous deep tunnel project supposed to stop flooding in the area? Another old excuse for years was that during heavy rains the locks would be closed to prevent water from flowing into the lake. The weird thing to me is after all these years and floods the media never questions the reclamation district on the cause of so much flooding.
The Deep Tunnel Project has not been completed. I also think it was just too much rain all at once. I've lived in my home for years too and this is the first time we had water in the basement. (I hope it will be the last).
It's also not just the single rain event, but the two weeks of rain we had prior, so that the ground was pretty saturated before the rain started falling, and thus wasn't able to absorb so much so fast.
Quote from: LetsGoThrow on July 01, 2010, 12:08:08 AM
Got 18 inches in the basement last week. None of my garbage was picked up today. Not even the regular bin. One street over is totally cleared... so much for following the rules. Thanks, WM!
Forest Park provided dumpsters on the streets for folks to get rid of their crap:
Tragically the recent heavy storms experienced in the Midwest brought with it a lot of property loss and damage due to flooding conditions. Unfortunately Forest Park was not spared, especially those homes south of the I-290. As a result, many homes will need to dispose of personal possessions. The Village has strategically placed dumpsters at the following locations for your use: 15th Street, 14th Street, 13th Street, Fillmore just east of Circle & Lexington just east of Circle. Please feel free to discard your debris in the dumpsters. If you have any questions, please call Village Hall at 708-366-2323. http://www.forestpark.net/index-Home.html
Mus' be nice.
Had the city not transferred the 15% property tax increase to the unions, the taxpayers could have received some benefit from their money.
Oh well. This is what people wanted...waste and fiscal recklessness.
I received this yesterday from Director Schiller. I can tell you that the plan was not finalized until Tuesday around 4:00 p.m. Two great neighbors helped me pass fliers out Tuesday night in the most flooded section of the 3rd Ward. We were out from 6:30 until 10:00 p.m. ringing door bells and advising neighbors of efforts being made the following day to clear the debris.Our ususal garbage pick-up is Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, many neighbors helped load debris into the Waste Management trucks to help clear the alleys. There was so much debris in one alley that 3 garbage trucks had to be used. The two dumpsters that I am aware of that were placed by the City were immediately filled.
The alleys in the 3rd Ward looked pretty clean as of Thursday evening. Some spots were missed. Reason for this unknown. Under the circumstances, it was a good job. Marge
Dear Residents,
The City is assisting residents by removing any item(s) that were not picked up by your garbage hauler
on your normal pickup day. We have prioritized the areas starting with the hardest hit. Areas in the
third and seventh wards bounded by the BNSF tracks, Harlem Av., Oak Park Av. and Cermak Rd.
were completed. On Friday July 2nd, crews will focus on areas in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and
eighth wards from Roosevelt Rd to Cermak Rd. and from Harlem Av. to Lombard Av. Additionally,
the area bounded by the BNSF tracks to 26th St and from Oak Park Av. to Lombard Av. will also have
Public Works crews clearing alleys. Saturday crews will work in the first and second wards after their
regular garbage pick up on Friday has been completed. Crews will work in this area on Saturday
bounded by the BNSF Tracks, Harlem Av., Pershing Av. and Lombard Av. Any areas not completed
by Saturday afternoon will be collected on Tuesday July 6th.
Additional dumpsters will be placed sporadically throughout the City and posted with a printed paper
stating "FLOOD DAMAGE" for residents to dispose of additional items leftover from the floods.
Please watch for additional information as it becomes available.
Robert Schiller
Public Works Director
City of Berwyn
Ph. 708.749.4700 ext.3300
Fax 708.749.9503
"June 29, 2010
Re: Recent Rain Storms / Special Garbage Pick-Up
Contrary to reports of some misleading information, the City of Berwyn is aggressively organizing a
special garbage pick-up designed to aid residents in recovering from flooding damage suffered last
week. This pickup will be in addition to the normally scheduled removal and will not result in any
additional fees for garbage removal services. Please rest assured knowing the Mayor, City
Administrator, and Public Works Director are tirelessly working to finalize this special garbage pickup
for you." Posted on the City of Berwyn Web Site
This really upsets me. I saw this statement when I was in Brian Pabst's office Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. and I asked him to pull it. The statement was written by another department head.
The only source of "misleading information" was the City of Berwyn. I and other Aldermen tried to get correct information out to residents as fast as we could. There was a lot of confusing information being handed out by City employees when residents called the City offices for information. There was a lack of coordinated information coming from the City to Aldermen. Marge
Marge, there WAS misleading information.
One of their own (
DCOB ppl) posted such here:
Quote from: Regularguy on June 26, 2010, 07:19:22 PM
Why do 3rd ward peoples not understand? Rules
are same for everyone elses year round, just not because of water.
Cheers,
Stanislov
Mr. Schiller merely wanted to let folks know there
are other efforts to resolve the situation caused by the conspirators.
;D
It sounds like the house is in disarray.
Quote from: Rt. 66 on July 02, 2010, 01:55:17 PM
It sounds like the house is in disarray.
Yep. That is of course until a vote to increase union/patronage pay and benefits comes up. Then they all manage to fall in line with perfect harmony to support the spending. Kinda' like synchronized swimming.
Only 1 alderperson,
1 alderperson, gets it ! Thanks Marge.