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4w ago

Johnson Visits Flood-Hit Southwest Side as City Tallies Damage and Alders Press Backflow Valve Plan

Officials are documenting losses to bolster a disaster aid request after recent downpours overwhelmed aging sewers.

Maria Hernandez, whose basement flooded following two days of heavy rain, sorts through wet and soiled clothing in the 5600 block of South Fairfield Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • More than 5,600 flooding reports have reached 311 since the weekend, with repeat basement damage in Gage Park, Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, Garfield Ridge and Chatham.
  • OEMC is distributing cleanup kits and asking impacted households to complete a flood damage survey by Friday to support potential assistance.
  • Six Southwest Side aldermen are urging a city-funded backflow valve program, estimating $10,000 to $15,000 per home and a total cost in the tens of millions.
  • The Water Management commissioner said the system was overwhelmed by the rate and volume of rainfall, pointing to aging infrastructure that cannot handle such downpours.
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson met residents in Gage Park and said the city expects to hear from FEMA later this month, calling outside funding essential for longer-term fixes.