Chicago's Albany Park flooded by record rainfall

[Above: Bohemian National Cemetery]

Today, my neighbors in Albany Park began a long cleanup after a weekend that dumped a record 7-plus inches of rain on Chicago in 24 hours. The hardest hit of the city neighborhoods, Albany Park’s location next to the Chicago River proved disastrous for many residents as the swollen river overflowed on to Foster Avenue. By early Saturday evening, the entire area was blocked off to through traffic, and by 6:30 p.m. the Office of Emergency Management and Communications was performing reverse calls to area residents informing them of a shelter at a nearby police department.

As the floodwaters rose Saturday evening, rescue workers evacuated residents in rafts. By Sunday, with the rain still steadily falling, much of Albany Park had lost power, and nearly 400 people had been evacuated. As of this morning, power had still not been restored from the 5000 block north towards Foster in most of Albany Park, and while the veritable lake that had formed around Avers and Foster had receded somewhat, it remains knee-deep. A city worker said that they did not foresee the water fully receding within the next 24 hours. All around the area, neighbors can be seen attempting to salvage personal belongings, and using sub-pumps to rid basements of water; others are just now returning home to assess the damage after evacuating.

Governor Rod Blagojevich has yet to declare the area in a state of emergency, though Board President Todd Stroger has declared a State of Emergency for Cook County. But as these photos (most taken within two blocks of my home) indicate, it will likely take weeks for the neighborhood to recover. Scores of residents will lose their homes to the flooding and the neighborhood will need help. Want to lend a hand? Call 217-782-0244 or 312-814-2121, or send an email here to request assistance for the Albany Park area of Chicago. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at North Park College (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.) for those in need of assistance. Thanks to all who have already asked how to help.