Health

Hit With Flood Damage? Johnson Asks Chicagoans to Complete Survey While Calling for State, Federal Support

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday blamed climate change and a poorly built water management system on the recent flooding impacting the West and Southwest sides, as he called on the state and federal governments to help provide financial emergency relief to homeowners and businesses.

“These are working class communities, and frankly, the city failed to plan properly in the past,” Johnson said during a news conference in Gage Park, shortly after visiting residents on the Southwest Side impacted by recent flooding. “We will continue to see damaging flood incidents until there are some real structural changes and improvements to our infrastructure as a whole.”

Last night, rounds of storms moved across the Chicago region, with several areas getting 4 to 7 inches of rain, leading to flash floods, according to the National Weather Service. From Saturday to Tuesday morning, there were more than 5,600 calls from residents to 311 reporting water in their basement, according to Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications Executive Director Frank Velez.

“Our neighbors are hurting,” said Ald. Jeylú Gutiérrez (14th Ward), who represents areas of Gage Park, Chicago Lawn, West Elsdon, Archer Heights and Brighton Park. “I’ve been in basements with families this week and the damage is heartbreaking … We need resources, accountability and long-term infrastructure solutions.”

The latest round of storms comes less than a month after the city was also hit with “torrential” rain and major flooding incidents between July 25-28, according to Velez.

“Chicagoans recovering from one flooding incident have found themselves having to start all over again,” said Johnson, who added that city workers have been working to clean debris and clear sewer backups, but that there’s “no easy, quick fix” to address immediate needs of affected residents, plus infrastructure improvements.

City officials are asking residents, regardless of immigration status, to fill out a damage assessment survey to help the city, along with county and state partners, determine potential assistance options for residents.

Residents must complete the survey by Friday.

“Completing the survey does not guarantee eligibility for financial assistance aid or funding of any kind,” Velez said. “The information collected will be used strictly for assessment and planning purposes as the city pursues all avenues for resources for our residents.”

Residents affected by flooding are encouraged to pick up free supply kits from their alderperson’s office to assist in flood recovery, officials said.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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