"The response to the flooding didn't happen by accident. A year and a half ago I asked for a disaster recovery plan, which Deputy Fire Chief John Heavey is in charge of," Des Plaines Mayor Anthony Arredia said.

"And it worked like a charm. We did everything we were supposed to do. It was hard work, but everyone from the city department heads, who took on all kinds of duties, to the clerks who were answering the phones were responsible for its successful outcome," he added.

It is not that the leaders were expecting a flood although experience told them it was not out of the question - especially since funding for area flood control projects has not been forthcoming.

However, after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, city officials wanted to be prepared for anything.

They became concerned about the rising Des Plaines River May 21 when projections indicated that it could reach flood stage.

That is when they put the disaster plan into action.

Warnings issued
Warnings went out to those who live or work near the river, Belleau Lake, Shagbark Lake, Weller Creek and Prairie Farmer Lake through the reverse 911 phone system and the Citizens on Patrol, the city's volunteer policing organization.

Public works employees put in 14 and 15 hours a day, loading trucks with sand to drop off at 13 sites along the waterways so residents could build walls to ward off the flood water.

"We owe everyone a great deal of thanks. The residents - nobody was screaming or yelling. Nobody complained. They were on the phone saying 'I need sand!' and almost as soon as I hung up, there would be a truck going by me and down the caller's street," Arredia said.

"I was on every TV and radio program that you can think of, both locally and nationally, because they were catching me everywhere," he added.

Through all of this, city employees, as well as volunteers who came from everywhere - including out of state - were doing a phenomenal job.

Handling phone calls were: Cathy Putz, social worker; Madeline May, city nurse; Janet O'Connell, human resources worker; Paulette Tabor, benefits coordinator; Jackie Jewitt, public works secretary; and Lilia Gonzalez, clerk.

"Residents said that when they called, they either got an answer for their questions or were told by the person answering the phone that they would get the answer and call them back - and they did," Arredia said.

Continuous updates Jason Bajor, the city's human resources director, and Eric Palm, media coordinator, pitched in on the front lines. Palm's continuous updates on cable TV made the residents feel more comfortable with the situation because they knew what was happening.

City attorneys Dave Wiltse and Raymond Bartel filled sand bags as well as providing legal advice.

"The Emergency Management Agency headed by Don Meseth and 911 people directed by Sherill Ornberg- unbelievable!" Arredia said.

"And I don't think we can say enough about State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-29th, Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-57th, State Sen. Dave Sullivan, R-33rd, Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-65th, and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-9th. Jan and Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman were calling three or four times a day asking what we needed," he added.

Help also came from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Army Corps of Engineers, Cook County Health Department, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Chicago fire and police departments, as well as the Cook County Sheriff's Emergency Management System.

"The sheriff brought people in his Work Alternative Program - about 300 every day to sandbag. Then he also sent people to help remove the sandbags," Arredia said.

"In fact, there were quite a few people who came out to sandbag Big Bend - and not that the flowers were their greatest concern - but the workers did not step on one flower in any garden. The people who lived there were amazed. The people at Big Bend, Shagbark and the Creek had nothing but praise for them," Arredia said.

There was an incredible outpouring of help. Even Gurnee residents volunteered to haul sandbags.

"There was nothing we could do about our town. It's under water. We wanted to make sure that your town isn't under water," they said.

The Home Depot sent shovels, pails and gloves to the residents, as did Kmart.

"We also got help from Orange Crush which supplied trucks and people to bring the sand to us. Bob Albrecht did the same. And he said 'Don't worry about the drivers. It's on me'," Arredia said.

"Oehlers Funeral Home had people at the creek loading sand. Maine West High School and Niles West High School students and teachers came out - even a wrestling team. Maine West alone sent 250 people a day," he added.

And just when the workers were wearing out and wondering if their efforts were going to make a difference, Starbucks of Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights sent a truck with coffee. Neckritz sent a truck with sandwiches. And people in nearby homes made sandwiches for the workers.

"I just got back from Springfield, and wanted Des Plaines to know how much the city's problems were in our hearts and minds. In fact, my husband, who was in California watching MSNBC, called me up and said 'Do you know what is going on in Des Plaines?' It was a national issue," Garrett said.

"We talked to the governor and asked him to come to Des Plaines and look at the issue. He wanted to start in Gurnee and ended up going down the river by helicopter. When we were flying over the river, the soccer fields, the playgrounds, the golf courses, the forest preserves were all under water," she added.

Stormwater management legislation is on hold right now because there is a tax cap issue involved, Garret said.

"We are concerned that the governor may be reluctant to sign it. But I think he is totally committed and dedicated to getting this resolved," she said.

"However, you did a great job and my hat goes off to all of you," she added.

The city really came together during the crises, Fourth Ward Ald. Dick Sayad said. "The mayor has been thanking everyone, but we have to thank him for all the time he has put in every day... We owe him gratitude for the fine job he did and the leadership he provided. The enthusiasm and concern that he had spread from the top (of the administration) all the way down to the girl at the switchboard," Sayad said.

"The city was prepared because the residents were given information. They knew what to expect and what to do, and everything was set up for them. Everybody worked well and together, but the credit (for this) goes to the mayor," he added.

Fighting the flooding almost became a big community event, Arredia said.

"The danger of the flooding became secondary in everyone's minds, because we were working together as a team," he added.

BY PAT KROCHMAL
Des Plaines Times