H-F Underwater: A Community Comments On Flash Floods

Heavy rainfall has resulted in widespread flash flooding throughout many areas of the Southland, including H-F.

We talked to Lisa Syren of Homewood's Public Works Department to get a better idea of what's going on. She said, while the official results have yet to be determined, the area got nearly 5 inches of rainfall.

"Over 30 houses had water backup," Syren said. "Some particularly bad (flooding was) on 175th Street, Perth and Stewart. In some cases, water was so high that it began going into people's houses."

Syren said Homewood Public Works has been assisting residents with flooding issues. They are also working hard to keep all drains clear to allow for maximum drainage. Beyond that, however, Syren says there is little else Public Works can do to alleviate the flooding.

"Most of it is the wait game," Syren said. 

According to Syren, all roads are currently open, including both viaducts despite earlier closings.

Here's what local residents are saying:

Last updated at 6:45 p.m.

"It would have been nice to have police or city workers at the downtown turn (of the flooded Dixie viaduct) stopping people from trying to drive down there." -Kim Beatty from Homewood

"Sure hope our $12 a month water fee helps with this..." - of Flossmoor 

"Our street did not have any flooding so I was not aware of what was going on around town." -

"The village did nothing on our street, except drive down it and put out a couple of cones. I realize that there were a lot of flooded areas, but it took 2 phone calls to even get them to show up. I even cleaned out our drain by our house." -

Jeanette Nichols said on Facebook "...Sewage backing up through basement toilet this morn. This afternoon, water coming leaking in under floor tile, etc. ... near Ridge & Center ... mostly done cleaning up the sewage now. I know I'm not alone."