Survey teams assess Chicago, Cook County after August flooding damage for possible funding

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Assessment teams are surveying parts of Chicago and Cook County that were affected by flooding last month.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle both issued disaster proclamations to assist Chicago residents affected by flooding Aug. 16-19.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

From Wednesday to Sunday, joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams including representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local emergency management personnel are going door-to-door in impacted areas across Cook County to survey damage to homes and businesses.

Officials already have the addresses of city of Chicago residents who have filled out the online survey and reported "Water in Basement" to 311 to schedule a visit.

Joint PDA teams from Archer Heights to Englewood will determine if the damage qualifies for a state disaster proclamation as well as FEMA or U.S. SBA assistance.

Approved FEMA recovery teams will be asking residents and business owners to take part in joint PDAs.

Unlike a tornado or a hurricane where there has been a clear cut disaster, qualifying for federal relief after torrential rains like those that hit Chicago last month is harder to prove.

It is why teams are going door to door to document people's losses. But they can only be successful if residents participate.

"We're trying to talk to residents and owners of their homes. Trying to understand was there sewage in your basement, did you lose any of your appliances, like your HVAC or anything like that?" said Kaila Lariviere, with OEMC.

Englewood's Cleo Lofton is out thousands of dollars.

"I had to go buy a brand new washer, dryer, freezer," Lofton said.

While, in Archer Heights, Paul Wampach is still cleaning up three weeks later.

"It would sure be nice to make up some of the cost. I don't expect it all, but a little bit would help," Wampach said.

With so many seniors and immigrants in the impacted communities, local alders are trying to reassure their constituents as much as possible

"A lot of us have been intentional about reaching out to our residents door-to-door with the representatives, not only from OEMC, but also from FEMA, letting them know, 'hey it's OK,'" 16th Ward Ald. Stephanie Coleman said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged people's frustrations Thursday, while also asking residents to be patient.

"We are here. The full force of government is available. This is part of that process. And we fully expect the federal government to do its part to make sure these families can recover," Johnson said.

Ultimately, it will be up to the president to approve any federal disaster relief for Chicago. And even if it is, it could take a while. It was only earlier this year that funds for West Side residents hit during the 2023 storms were released.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications says that while it is important to meet with PDA teams, residents should be wary of scam artists who may prey upon storm survivors.