SKOKIE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Residents of Skokie continue to deal with flooding and low or no water after a water main break early this morning.
Village workers continue to repair a transmission water main at East Prairie Road and Emerson Street. The break occurred around 5:15 a.m. and caused heavy flooding for several blocks.
An extensive road closure was in place for hours.
Skokie Director of Public of Works Max Slankard told reporters that even though the wet and frigid conditions have made it challenging, he believes the main could be fixed by this evening.
Officials noted that it will take awhile for water pressure to build back up and don’t expect it to be fully restored until Saturday afternoon.
As a result, a boil water order remains in effect for the Village of Skokie. The State of Illinois requires two clean water tests 24 hours apart before the water can be removed.
With no water coming out of more than a few taps and a run on stores for bottled water, there is an effort to bring water into the village. The priority is getting the bottled water to more vulnerable spots like hospitals and assisted living facilities.
The water level in the flooded area has reduced significantly compared to this morning, but there has been plenty of damage to cars and homes.
Village officials are urging residents to contact their insurance company immediately.
No injuries have been reported.
This morning, water was gushing under the street on Lyons and Ewing. It had been flowing for about an hour and had flooded Andy’s backyard by the time he saw it at around 6:30 a.m.
“I came upstairs, and I peeked out, and I’m like, ‘Holy crap!’ Andy told WBBM. “It was terrible…We didn’t get a notification or anything.”
Danira Dizdarevic lives further up the block in this pocket of “Skevanton.”
She was worried the water flowing down her block would get into her newly finished basement.
“My husband ran to the basement to pray that the [sump pumps] do not give up,” Dizdarevic told WBBM.
She was among the first to notice the damage from the water main break the village said happened a few blocks north, on East Prairie Road and Emerson Street, at about 5:15 a.m.
Village workers and some neighbors removed some drain covers that were getting clogged.
With the water receding, the frigid temperatures led to sheets of ice.
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