Only 345/7,600 Properties Flooded?

According to the Baxter & Woodman engineering report now online at www.woodstockil.gov, only 345 (4.5%) of Woodstock’s 7,600 housing units reported basement backup or flooding problems during or immediately following the flood event or later.

How many property owners didn’t bother to report problems, after the City so quickly informed residents that the flooding wasn’t the City’s fault and that residents should contact their insurance companies? Nice job passing the buck, because the insurance companies probably said, “Hey, it’s not our fault. You’re not covered.”

For example, the address of one resident on 4xx South Jefferson Street, outside whose house was the largest pile of debris from a flooded basement that I saw in Woodstock, is not listed. He just got busy and ripped out all the damaged walls and flooring from his flooded basement. Another resident, on 3xx South Madison Street, didn't bother to report his basement back-up and flooding to the City. How many others didn't report their problems???

Every resident experiencing flooding or basement back-up should inform the City, even now. And, if you believe the City is at fault, contrary to statements by the City, then file your claim with the City.

Will affected residents band together and hire their own engineering report?

Check out this report and look for your own address or the address of a neighbor or friend whose property experienced flooding. Addresses are listed at the end of the report. To get there quickly after you open the report online, just hold down the CTRL key and press END. If an address is missing, inform the City ASAP.

What was the total loss in Woodstock? I asked this question at the last City Council meeting, where I asked about the amount of loss known to-date and that a running figure be kept and, of course, made public. I was surprised at the audience applause after my short request to the City.

Maybe the applause was because I spoke so briefly…