City of Highland Park Continues To Lead Regional Flood Mitigation Efforts With Help From The Army Corps Of Engineers
Residents are urged to contact Federal, State, and County Officials
Highland Park, Illinois – The City of Highland Park has been working with both Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on a long-term flood mitigation solution following several floods that devastated parts of Highland Park and dozens of communities throughout the region. A regional preliminary flood mitigation study conducted by ACOE is anticipated to begin this month, September 2018. The preliminary study will take approximately nine months to complete.
The Highland Park City Council approved an agreement with ACOE for a preliminary study related to regional flood mitigation solutions earlier this year. Part of the preliminary study, to be undertaken by ACOE, is to determine if a comprehensive feasibility study is required that will entail a flood protection solution for all communities along this river. If a final feasibility study is undertaken, the potential solutions could result in a combination of storage basins, retaining walls, pump stations, buy-outs, and other measures. The mitigation solution would be effective for the residents of Highland Park and other area residents who live along the Skokie and Middle Fork Rivers.
Residents are urged to also contact their representatives from Lake County (Paul Frank – pfrank@lakecountyil.gov), the State of Illinois (Rep. Scott Drury – repdrury@gmail.com and Sen. Julie Morrison – ilsenate29@gmail.com) and the US Congress (Rep. Brad Schneider – karyn.davidman@mail.house.gov) with questions and concerns. Coordination with these governments is crucial to the regional response needed.
“After years of advocating at all levels of government for relief, we appreciate the response from the ACOE and the collaboration between officials to bring the study to fruition. The time is past due to advance a long-term flood mitigation solution,” said Mayor Nancy R. Rotering.
The City has hosted several flood management neighborhood meetings to keep residents and business owners apprised of the progress of a long-term solution; the most recent taking place in August, 2018. If residents are interested in convening a meeting, contact the City Manager’s Office at 847-926-1000.
The City continues to communicate information and alerts regarding flood mitigation via eNews, the website, and social media. The City also communicates alerts received from Lake County Emergency Management Agency and other important agencies through the City's Public Safety Alerts eNews, the City website, and social media (Facebook and Twitter). Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City eNews and Public Safety Alerts eNews at www.cityhpil.com/signup.
Regular updates about the City’s flood mitigation work can be found on the City website at www.cityhpil.com/flooding. This link also includes recommendations and options that residents can pursue on their properties to minimize flooding risks either in a basement or yard.