Storm Overwhelms Clarendon Hills Drainage System: Village

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Downpours on Aug. 1 caused flooding in parts of Clarendon Hills, overwhelming the town's storm pipes and surface flood paths, a top official said.

The hardest-hit area was at Middaugh Road and Walnut Street, where water made streets impassable and blocked entry to some homes, the village's public works director, Brendan McLaughlin, said in a memo this week.

In recent years, the area has seen more frequent, high-intensity storms, he said.

Because of that, the village plans to hire stormwater engineers to identify possible changes to better handle the floodwaters, McLaughlin said.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees are expected to vote on McLaughlin's recommendation to hire Rosemont-based Christopher Burke Engineering to conduct the $25,000 study.

Darien has hired the same firm for $20,000 to perform a similar analysis after recent flooding in some neighborhoods. Burke Engineering is the go-to firm for many suburbs.

In his memo, McLaughlin said the review would include other low-lying areas where private property takes on regional water.

Burke's work would involve collecting data from impacted residents, reviewing water elevations, confirming all storm pipes are flowing appropriately and offering recommendations for short- and long-term actions, McLaughlin said.