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Special News Report Flood response Residents eligible to apply for federal flood damage aid Aug. 24, 2010 - Now that Cook County officially has been declared a disaster area, Oak Park property owners who had losses caused by the recent flooding now may apply for federal assistance by registering at www.disasterassistance.gov. To register by telephone, call 1.800.621.3362, or 1.800.462.7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. Types of federal assistance may include rental payments for temporary housing if homes were unlivable after the flooding; grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance; grants to replace personal property not covered by insurance; unemployment compensation for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster; low-interest loans to cover residential losses not covered by insurance; and loans up to $2 million for small businesses damaged by the flooding.
*** Residents' help needed to assess damage July 27, 2010 - As crews work to pick up household goods damaged by the weekend's flooding, Village officials are asking for the public's help in assessing the damage, the next step in filing a claim for federal financial aid. Residents who incurred damage from the high waters are asked to complete a Severe Rain & Flood Event Data Collection Form and return it to the Village by Fri., Aug. 13. Mail or drop off forms addressed to:
Village President David Pope signed a letter declaring Oak Park a local disaster. If approved by the county and state, the declaration would allow residents to apply for federal disaster aid programs, including low-interest repair loans. Officials caution that criteria for assistance is very precise and likely will not cover personal possessions, furniture and appliances except for those residents who meet certain income guidelines. However, the Village could recoup up to 75 percent of tax dollars spent on the clean-up effort. In the meantime, residents can place water-damaged debris with their regular trash for pick-up this week and next, without attaching pink refuse stickers. Debris should be placed in the regular collection area. Items should not be placed in the streets, which could clog sewer grates should more rain fall. Debris should be bagged if possible and carpet in rolls no more than four-feet long. For more information on debris disposal, call 708.358.5700 or e-mail publicworks@oak-park.us. *** Oak Park officials declare local disaster July 26, 2010 - After more than eight inches of rain fell in Oak Park this weekend, officials have declared the Village a disaster area, a step that could offer residents access to federal funds to help pay for repair and clean-up costs. According to the rain gauge mounted on Oak Park’s Central pumping station, 8.33 inches of rain fell between 6 p.m. Friday and noon on Saturday. Rain fell at almost an inch per hour between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., overwhelming sewers, flooding streets and yards, and quickly pushing into basements. The northeast quadrant of the Village appears hardest hit, with many residents reporting several inches of water in their homes. The entire Village was affected, however, and the Eisenhower Expressway as well as the CTA blue line were shut down for most of Saturday as high water pooled under overpasses and covered tracks in some areas. Village President David Pope is expected to sign a letter today declaring Oak Park a local disaster. If approved by the county and state, the declaration would allow residents to apply for federal disaster aid programs, including low-interest repair loans. In the meantime, residents can place water-damaged debris with their regular trash for pick-up this week and next, without attaching pink refuse stickers. Debris should be placed in the regular collection area. Items should not be placed in the streets, which could clog sewer grates should more rain fall. For more information on debris disposal, call 708.358.5700 or e-mail publicworks@oak-park.us.
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