VOL. XXVIII, NO. 2
OCTOBER 31, 1986
Students recall emotional trauma
of Des Plaines' devastating flood
of Des Plaines' devastating flood
by Karla Krieschen and Barb Walters
After school Monday, September 29, the water was one and a half feet deep in the street. We had water in the basement since September 27. In two more days the water was four feet deep and in our basement, we had five feet of water. We stayed until September 31. We were evacuated; we had no water pressure or electricity. Our family was safe, but separated." stated Alison Basista '90.
Alison and her family were just one of the hundreds of unfortunate flood victims in the worst flood in the history of Des Plaines.
The increasing amount of damage to people's homes forced Governor James Thompson to declare northern Cook County a disaster area. Long before this declartion, victims knew that a rough road existed ahead of them, and of the emotional struggle yet to come.
Alison felt confused, worried and distressed about the effects the flood had on her house and family. She resides at 1478 Willow Street, an isolated area, thus it was difficult for her family to obtain sandbags from the city and they could no longer deter the water.
As the water continued to rise into the house, the electrical and water power were lost; but they still fought by staying up all hours of the night to sandbag, to keep pumps running and to move furniture to dryer areas. Alison and her family feared the water would rise and they would not be able to reach safety; since at that time he water was already four feet deep in the street and ten feet in the house.
At this time, county and state officials urged residents in the heavily flooded areas to boil and to add five drops of bleach to water for sanitation measures.
Following Police suggestion, the family left the house. Alison stated, "After we evacuated, we couldn't get news on the condition of our home, and it was very stressful because all we could do was wait it out." Alison's parents stayed at a Holiday Inn while she and her sister stayed at a friend's house and another sister stayed in Prospect Heights.
After waiting for the water to recede, the Basista family learned that the wait had just begun. Alison continues, "We are not even sure if we are going to be able to receive aid from the government and even if we do, it will most likely be in 1987."
Although the foundation of their house was not damaged, Alison says, "The washer, dryer and furnace were among the material items destroyed, but the sentimental losses hurt the most." The Basista family lost their Christmas tree and several ornaments.
Allison commented, "The other things can be easily replaced but many memories that the tree brought cannot."
Michelle Ostrowski '87 and her family were also greatly affected by the flood. For weeks the Ostrowskis were left without heat and electricity, therefore they had to boil their water in order to bathe. Michelle and her brother. Victor '89, were forced to ride a boat before reaching dry land in order to walk to school.
In the evenings, Michelle and her brother had to do their homework by candlelight and kerosene lamps. Michelle added, "It was frustrating, because we all had to share one small table on which we could do homework and eat our meals. This problem was another obstacle that we had to deal with. It was very stressful." The entire Ostrowski family had to live in one room and this room contained all the furniture from areas which were already flooded.
Michelle stated, "We had to buy our own sand and after it was delivered, the water rose so fast that we couldn't bag the sand and it was all washed away. After being absorbed by the water, the sand was so heavy that we had to leave it where it was and redo our lawn around it."
After school Monday, September 29, the water was one and a half feet deep in the street. We had water in the basement since September 27. In two more days the water was four feet deep and in our basement, we had five feet of water. We stayed until September 31. We were evacuated; we had no water pressure or electricity. Our family was safe, but separated." stated Alison Basista '90.
Alison and her family were just one of the hundreds of unfortunate flood victims in the worst flood in the history of Des Plaines.
The increasing amount of damage to people's homes forced Governor James Thompson to declare northern Cook County a disaster area. Long before this declartion, victims knew that a rough road existed ahead of them, and of the emotional struggle yet to come.
Alison felt confused, worried and distressed about the effects the flood had on her house and family. She resides at 1478 Willow Street, an isolated area, thus it was difficult for her family to obtain sandbags from the city and they could no longer deter the water.
As the water continued to rise into the house, the electrical and water power were lost; but they still fought by staying up all hours of the night to sandbag, to keep pumps running and to move furniture to dryer areas. Alison and her family feared the water would rise and they would not be able to reach safety; since at that time he water was already four feet deep in the street and ten feet in the house.
At this time, county and state officials urged residents in the heavily flooded areas to boil and to add five drops of bleach to water for sanitation measures.
Following Police suggestion, the family left the house. Alison stated, "After we evacuated, we couldn't get news on the condition of our home, and it was very stressful because all we could do was wait it out." Alison's parents stayed at a Holiday Inn while she and her sister stayed at a friend's house and another sister stayed in Prospect Heights.
After waiting for the water to recede, the Basista family learned that the wait had just begun. Alison continues, "We are not even sure if we are going to be able to receive aid from the government and even if we do, it will most likely be in 1987."
Although the foundation of their house was not damaged, Alison says, "The washer, dryer and furnace were among the material items destroyed, but the sentimental losses hurt the most." The Basista family lost their Christmas tree and several ornaments.
Allison commented, "The other things can be easily replaced but many memories that the tree brought cannot."
Michelle Ostrowski '87 and her family were also greatly affected by the flood. For weeks the Ostrowskis were left without heat and electricity, therefore they had to boil their water in order to bathe. Michelle and her brother. Victor '89, were forced to ride a boat before reaching dry land in order to walk to school.
In the evenings, Michelle and her brother had to do their homework by candlelight and kerosene lamps. Michelle added, "It was frustrating, because we all had to share one small table on which we could do homework and eat our meals. This problem was another obstacle that we had to deal with. It was very stressful." The entire Ostrowski family had to live in one room and this room contained all the furniture from areas which were already flooded.
Michelle stated, "We had to buy our own sand and after it was delivered, the water rose so fast that we couldn't bag the sand and it was all washed away. After being absorbed by the water, the sand was so heavy that we had to leave it where it was and redo our lawn around it."
With the help of five people, it took the family 11 hours to complete the cleaning task. They determined that three wooden floors in the house must be replaced. However, a drying period of four months is needed before any work may be done on the floors. Numerous doors in the house are also ruined because the water warped the wood.
Another student of Maine West who was plagued by the flood was Penny Stahl '90. The family attempted to salvage furniture by removing it from possible flood areas in the house to higher elevation or the garage which was not affected by the water.
Penny stated, "Our washer, dryer, freezer, refrigerator, stove and tools were completely damaged, plus my brother's room." Penny added, "The water ruined our carpet and we had to rip it out and throw it away. We also had to take the paneling and plasterboard down because it was warped and had started to fall."
The Stahl family contacted a federal agent to inquire if their sewage insurance would cover the damage. Unfortunately it did not cover all the damage. Their flood battle included many highly stressful situations. Penny added, "We were all on edge, but we managed to pull together. It brought the whole neighborhood together."
The flooding of the river broke past records set in 1960, when it crested at five and a half feet above the critical elevation point. Before the battle was over, more than 1,000 Des Plaines and Mount Prospect residents were forced from their homes. Village workers used more than 1,000 tons of sand to hold back the flood.
Among those who managed to hold back the water by using sandbags was the De Pasquale family living at 1785 Campbell. Mrs. De Pasquale stated that she owed much of her success. "To Maine West students who worked to sandbag. We were up four nights in a row, and the only way we got through it was because all the neighbors pulled together and worked hard."
With the help of Maine West students, the monumental task of sandbagging was minimized. As reported in the Chicago Tribune, "It takes a lot of bags to protect a home - 3,600 to complete a 4-foot-high wall that is 100 feet long," said Jeff Stidham, a civil engineer with the Army Corps.
Many students whose homes weren't affected came to the rescue by devoting their time to filling sandbags and working in shelters. Among those who helped out was Amy Sharman '87. She stated, "I helped fill sandbags at the downtown station and at the O'Brien’s parking lot. At both stations, most of the people helping out were Maine West students."
Although the task of holding back the water and cleaning procedures have ended, the residents still must replace their losses and await information from the government concerning aid and insurance matters. The fact that the community came together to help one another during a time of need proved to diminish the emotional and physical stresses of the flood victims.
Marc Certa '89, a student volunteer, stated, "The flood reached a point of high anxiety, but the feeling was of caring. I helped to clear the Methodist Campground. Six men and I were helping in the flood clean‑up around that area. We spent about three hours a night and part of the weekend with the clean‑up crew.
"Many of the people around were willing to help others even though their own property was in jeopardy. Through this trauma, I felt the anger and sadness of people whose property was damaged, but most of all I saw each and every individual who was either the victim of the flood or the worker helping during his free time," concluded Marc.
Another student of Maine West who was plagued by the flood was Penny Stahl '90. The family attempted to salvage furniture by removing it from possible flood areas in the house to higher elevation or the garage which was not affected by the water.
Penny stated, "Our washer, dryer, freezer, refrigerator, stove and tools were completely damaged, plus my brother's room." Penny added, "The water ruined our carpet and we had to rip it out and throw it away. We also had to take the paneling and plasterboard down because it was warped and had started to fall."
The Stahl family contacted a federal agent to inquire if their sewage insurance would cover the damage. Unfortunately it did not cover all the damage. Their flood battle included many highly stressful situations. Penny added, "We were all on edge, but we managed to pull together. It brought the whole neighborhood together."
The flooding of the river broke past records set in 1960, when it crested at five and a half feet above the critical elevation point. Before the battle was over, more than 1,000 Des Plaines and Mount Prospect residents were forced from their homes. Village workers used more than 1,000 tons of sand to hold back the flood.
Among those who managed to hold back the water by using sandbags was the De Pasquale family living at 1785 Campbell. Mrs. De Pasquale stated that she owed much of her success. "To Maine West students who worked to sandbag. We were up four nights in a row, and the only way we got through it was because all the neighbors pulled together and worked hard."
With the help of Maine West students, the monumental task of sandbagging was minimized. As reported in the Chicago Tribune, "It takes a lot of bags to protect a home - 3,600 to complete a 4-foot-high wall that is 100 feet long," said Jeff Stidham, a civil engineer with the Army Corps.
Many students whose homes weren't affected came to the rescue by devoting their time to filling sandbags and working in shelters. Among those who helped out was Amy Sharman '87. She stated, "I helped fill sandbags at the downtown station and at the O'Brien’s parking lot. At both stations, most of the people helping out were Maine West students."
Although the task of holding back the water and cleaning procedures have ended, the residents still must replace their losses and await information from the government concerning aid and insurance matters. The fact that the community came together to help one another during a time of need proved to diminish the emotional and physical stresses of the flood victims.
Marc Certa '89, a student volunteer, stated, "The flood reached a point of high anxiety, but the feeling was of caring. I helped to clear the Methodist Campground. Six men and I were helping in the flood clean‑up around that area. We spent about three hours a night and part of the weekend with the clean‑up crew.
"Many of the people around were willing to help others even though their own property was in jeopardy. Through this trauma, I felt the anger and sadness of people whose property was damaged, but most of all I saw each and every individual who was either the victim of the flood or the worker helping during his free time," concluded Marc.
