Angry Elmhurst Residents Under Water; City of Elmhurst Issues Statement

UPDATE: The city of Elmhurst has released the followed statement at 7:46 a.m. Thursday:

"Elmhurst is currently experiencing unprecedented flooding throughout the city. City facilities are functioning. The event, however, is exceeding capacity. Our surrounding region, including Elmhurst is experiencing a 100 year storm level event. In anticipation of this storm event, Public Works conducted street-sweeping to clear inlets last week. Public Works crews and ESDA staff were held overnight last night to monitor storm events.

Overland flooding is prevalent throughout Elmhurst at this time. Additional heavy rains will continue this morning. Please do not travel unless it in an emergency situation. Streets are currently gridlocked, travel conditions are poor, and emergency personnel need clearance to respond to emergencies.

Reports of severe flooding and fires are coming in from all over the city. Police and Fire personnel are responding to emergency calls. Please call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Elmhurst District 205, Immaculate Conception Schools, and Elmhurst College have cancelled classes.

Short-term Emergency Shelter is available at the Elmhurst Police Station (125 E. First St.), Wagner Community Center (615 N. West Ave.), and The Abbey (407 W. St. Charles Rd.). Information on additional emergency shelters will be updated as needed.

There will be no garbage pick-up today. Refuse pick-up for those areas affected will have a combined be pick-up next week.

The City will be updating the website and social media throughout the day, please continue to check for updates."

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Original story:

Elmhurst residents are reporting widespread flooding in and around their homes.

According to comments posted on facebook, basements and yards are already underwater as of 6 a.m. Thursday, the water is rising and residents are angry.

Here are some of the comments.

"SOUTH ELMHURST IS COMPLETELY UNDER WATER. SHOCKER. Basement of water and front and backyards are a lake. 3/4 of our front yard under water.And we live by Bryan. Wow. Thanks Elmhurst for spending all that money.... maybe we can fix things this time around?????????????"— Julie

"With 3 sumps we are flooding inside and out!!! Sewers overloaded so now so will we. South street is now South lake!!!! Great job Elmhurst for dealing with this years after this had already happened." — Pat

"We got about 6 inches of water and rising. Any idea if we can get sand bags anywhere?"— Tammy

"Don't ask. I am surrounded by water at Jackson and Mitchell. Both inside and out."—Kristine

"Basement is flooded to second step, all sewage. Power went off for a few minutes late last night. Front of my house faces North Ave, and North Ave is flooded, 290 ramp, water is up to door handle of cars. No cops out directing traffic yet, dangerous."—Debra

"Basement flooded, power on. Right now, I wish it was the other way around. Like it is usually."—Rafael

The rain is not nearing its end yet, either. Here's the latest weather update.

Are you fighting rising waters? Let us know in the comments. Do you have photos of flooding? Post them to this story.