Skokie OKs emergency declaration to help residents, businesses affected by water main break
The meeting started at 7:30 p.m. and several village officials laid out a timeline of the water main break itself. Officials later voted to approve an emergency declaration to help residents and businesses affected.
Public Works Director Max Slankard showed photos of the damaged pipe that caused water to flow out into the streets and down multiple blocks near East Prairie and Emerson Street beginning at around 5:15 a.m. Friday.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Skokie water main break causes widespread flooding, icy conditions, road closures
Officials said crews determined a fitting cap on a major water transmission main serving Skokie failed, but there was no indication that the failure was caused by any construction in the area. An updated component has since been installed.
Many residents who live near the water main break had flooding in their basements. Cars were also submerged in water and ice.
'I came down to a scene I hope to never see again. Our house was encased in ice,' Skokie resident Michael Ligney said.
PHOTOS: Water main break coating Skokie in ice, water
By 6 p.m. Friday, water service was restored but a boil order remained in effect until Sunday evening.
The water main break also happened on Valentine's Day, impacting restaurants in the area that had to close.
'It was going to be a full house all night. We were getting ready for it all day. We had complementary chocolate covered strawberries for everybody. Our kitchen was preparing all day. At three o'clock, they told us to shut it all down, so a lot of wasted food and reservations,' said Alex Georges, owner of Cupitol, The Restaurant.
Thankfully for impacted businesses and residents, the emergency declaration passed unanimously.
Skokie residents impacted by water main break can now report damages via email
The village is still asking those impacted to fill out a damage and losses form. Affected residents should email riskmgmt@skokie.org and include their name, address, phone number, description of damages, an estimate of repairs and photos.
'We need to get the info as fast as possible so we can use to support our declaration with county and state,' Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said.
Anyone with additional questions is asked to call Skokie Public Works at 847-933-8427.
The village will not seek county and state emergency disaster relief to help residents and businesses affected.
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