Crystal Lake, Cary Flood Victims Won't Receive FEMA Assistance

Crystal Lake and Cary victims of the June 26 storm won't receive state or federal assistance because McHenry County's request for FEMA funds was denied, the Northwest Herald reports.

The June 26 storm dumped between 4.85 to over 5 inches of rain on portions of the county. Crystal Lake and Cary were particularly hard hit.

Residents living along North Shore Drive in Crystal Lake experienced flooding, and, to add injury to insult, some had sewage back into their basements.

During last week's Crystal Lake City Council meeting, several residents asked for the city's help in recouping costs related to cleaning up the destruction left by the sewage. Some residents said they've dealt with flooding in past storms, but never sewage backup.

Patty Congine, who lives at 770 North Shore Dr., said her home suffered $70,000 damage. Her neighbor, Michael Thinnes said flooding and sewage caused $30,000 in destruction, destroying his finished basement. 

Residents questioned whether recent road improvements along North Shore Drive could have pushed more water towards their homes, causing them flood. Others inquired about "rumor" that a city lift station had gone down during the storm, wondering if that could have been a source of the problem.

In addition to the heavy rainfall and sewage backup, the North Shore area also experienced a power outage after the storm. 

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said Tuesday's Open House meeting aimed to provide residents with more answers to their questions.

One important new revelation was that a city pump station near Crystal Lake Avenue had indeed failed for a period of time during the storm, the Northwest Herald reports. The finding may provide residents with a right to file an insurance claim with the city, the story stated.