SKOKIE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Leaders of Skokie have declared an emergency after Friday’s water main break flooded neighborhoods with icy water.
The Skokie Village Board voted for the emergency declaration that they expect to help free up funds for residents to make repairs.
One of those residents is Kathleen Schmidt. The mother of triplets told the board she and her father tried to remove drain covers themselves hours after water flooded the street in front of their home.
“My 8-year-old daughter hands me a shovel over the water so I could find the drain,” Schmidt said. “My kids are traumatized. My autistic child said last night she couldn’t sleep because she didn’t want [it] to flood again.”
She said she had to rent a car after her family had three cars damaged by the floodwater.
Michael Likhite told the board his house on Bennett, just off of McCormick, had six inches of ice around it.
“Our house was encased in ice. Hear that again,our home was encased ice,” he said.
He said cold water filled their cars, setting off their electrical systems.
Mayor George Van Dusen attempted to reassure him and other residents impacted by Friday morning’s water main failure.
“We will work to restore your trust,” the mayor said.
The village said a fitting cap on a 36-inch water main installed in the 1960s failed Friday .The hardware should have lasted 80 to 100 years, officials said.
The village has also launched an online portal for residents to submit detailed damage photos of their home.
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