FEMA Views Park Ridge Flood Damage for Possible Reimbursement

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agendy and Illinois Emergency Management Agency came to Park Ridge to assess damage from the April 18 flood, according to a memo from the city manager to the mayor and aldermen. 

The city received about 1,500 flood survey forms completed by residents. Those, along with photos submitted by residents and information from calls which came in April 18, formed an information base for the city. Based on that, Shawn Hamilton, the acting city manager, Fire Chief Michael Zywanski, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sorenson, Building Administrator Spires, Public Works Superintendent Wiebe and Sgt. Ryan of the police department took the FEMA and IEMA team to the hardest-hit areas. 

Hamilton wrote that FEMA and IEMA made it clear they were looking for major damage, which they loosely defined as 18 inches or more of water on the first floor, water in the electrical systems, or structural damage in key living areas of the homes. 

The team knocked on doors and spoke to some residents, and found some areas that did qualify as major damage.    

"This information will be compiled into various impact forms and disaster analysis reports that will be tabulated and forwarded to the governor," Hamilton wrote.      

He also noted FEMA and IEMA complimented of Park Ridge's communication with residents after the storm,  including notifying residents through its alert system.  

Mayor Dave Schmidt noted in an email he would keep residents apprised of whether the federal and state agencies decide to reimburse residents for flood damage.

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