Western Springs Flooding Blamed On Blocked Drains In Part

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is blaming widespread street flooding Thursday night, in part, on blocked storm drains.

Leaves and other debris blocked the drains, while a sudden volume of rain overwhelmed the system, according to a village statement Friday morning.

Western Springs and other towns did not pick up all curbside leaves as planned because a November snowstorm hit the area before leaf collection efforts ended.

The village said it mobilized an emergency response Thursday night. That included public works employees, police and fire personnel, and other village staff assessing and alleviating street flooding, according to the statement.

The village thanked residents who helped clear storm drains.

"We will review our storm response and that of our neighboring communities, to learn more about their experience with this event and with the management of leaf pickup during the challenging weather swings of this season," the village said in a statement. "Feedback from those communities and our residents will help us improve our ability to prevent and respond to similar situations in the future."