AUGUST 2020 STORM RECOVERY: UPDATE #7 (AUGUST 17)

One week ago, on the afternoon of August 10, 2020, a derecho storm moved through the area, creating and EF-1 tornado that carved a 2-mile-long path through the heart of the Village of Lombard.  

Electrical Outages

The storm caused downed trees and widespread power outages to ComEd customers in Lombard. The initial reports from ComEd indicated that there were 6,178 customers without power following the storm.  ComEd provided an estimated time of restoration for all Lombard customers of Saturday, August 15, 2020 by 3:00 p.m. Throughout the week, ComEd provided updates to the Village and residents via social media, the Village’s email newsletter, and at www.villageoflombard.org, showing progress on restoration. ComEd reported that power to all Lombard customers was restored by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

Debris Cleanup

As soon as the storm departed Lombard, the Village deployed all available resources to begin the clean the up effort.  Phase 1 of the debris removal focused on removing material from the roadway and addressing unsafe conditions affecting roadways and sidewalks. Per the Village policy on storm debris management, the Village initiated the village wide response. Under this protocol the Village will collect material from both public and private trees that is placed in the parkway within 72 hours of the storm event, which was Thursday, August 13, 2020.  Based upon the extensive damage and inability to clear trees due to downed ComEd powerlines in an area bordered by Madison/the Great Western Trail/Finley and Westmore, the Village allowed material to be placed out for collection up to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.  This area was designated by the Village as the “Impact Zone.”

Debris Staging Area

Working in partnership with the Lombard Park District, the Village received approval to utilize the parking lot east of the Paradise Bay Pool in the Lombard Common Park to stockpile debris from the storm in a designated staging area. The Village has been collecting storm debris every day since the storm hit. The use of the Park District lot improves efficiency for the cleanup effort.  Crews have worked from 7:30 a.m. to sun down every day, including weekends, to clear debris. Since the storm impacted our community, Public Works personnel have worked almost 1,800 hours in 6 days on storm clean-up. 

Mutual Aid

On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, Public Works requested mutual aid through the DuPage County Public Works Mutual Aid Network and the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN).  To date, the Village of Lombard has received assistance from the following agencies; the Village of Bloomingdale, the Village of Carol Stream, the Village of Hanover Park, the Village of Woodridge, the Village of Bensenville, the Village of Mount Prospect and the DuPage County Department of Transportation.  The Village greatly appreciates the support and assistance offered by other Public Works professionals during this effort.

Next Phases of Recovery

Public Works crews are currently focusing on the clean-up phase of recovery. The Village anticipates completing the clean-up effort of areas outside of the Impact Zone by August 23rd.  The Village anticipates that the clean-up effort for the areas inside the Impact Zone will extend into the week of August 24th.

Once the debris clean-up is completed, the Village will focus attention on the next phase of recovery, which is the removal of damaged parkway trees.  Preliminary assessments indicate that over 200 trees will need removal.

Free Wood Chips/Mulch Program: Connect with Us for Updates

The Village will be providing free wood chips to residents in the future.  Additional details will be provided via the Village’s social media outlets. Residents are highly encouraged to connect with the Village the on Facebook and Twitter and to sign up for our email newsletter at www.villageoflombard.org/epride for Village news, alerts, and updates. You may also view our social media posts on the bottom of our website homepage at www.villageoflombard.org.

August 2020 Storm Recovery: Update #6 (August 14) 

Ongoing Storm Recovery and Cleanup

Public Works crews continue to work throughout all areas of the community that received damage from Monday’s tornado.

Recovery remains a fluid situation. As neighbors and Lombard residents ourselves, we understand the challenges and frustrations that this storm has caused. To help expedite the debris collection process, the Village has received mutual aid from multiple agencies including, DuPage County Department of Transportation, Bensenville, Wooddale, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Mount Prospect. Additionally, an emergency declaration was signed on Thursday afternoon, allowing staff to deviate from the designated storm debris policy, in efforts to better address new challenges that are arising.  Residents are reminded that the collection process will be ongoing for several days or longer, until completed.

The Village has received questions from the community. Please see the below FAQ:

1. My property was directly hit by the tornado. Due to downed powerlines, we are not able to get debris to the curb by Thursday. What should we do?On Thursday, the Village announced an extension of debris collection for residences located within a designated “impact zone.” This area will have until Tuesday, August 18^th at 4:30 p.m. to place debris at their curbs for collection. We understand that some properties outside of the designated impact zone are unable to clear debris due to downed power lines.   The Village will continue to work with residents in these areas. Please contact Public Works at publicworks@villageoflombard.org.
   
   
2. I live outside of the impact zone. Does that mean I will no longer have collection?
   No. You will still have your debris collected. Due to the large-scale damage caused by the tornado, the collection process will take several days.
   
   
3. I had my debris on the curb at 4:30 on Thursday. But it’s Friday morning and it’s still there. Why is it still there? 
   Crews continue to clear debris.  The Village will make additional passes to remove debris that was out within the designated time frames.
   
   
4. I live outside of the designated impact zone and my neighborhood and property was hit just as hard. What am I supposed to do?
   We understand that some isolated areas outside of the impact zone have also receive a more severe impact from the storm. If your ability to clear debris from your home has been delayed waiting for ComEd to clear powerlines, please contact Public Works at publicworks@villageoflombard.org. As we continue to navigate new challenges that arise when recovering from tornado damage, we appreciate your patience and support.
   
   
5. I still don’t have power. When will I have power? 
   As of 2 p.m. on Friday, 8/14, there are 450 ComEd customers in Lombard that remain without power, due to 21 outages. ComEd crews have continued to work day and night and have restored power to more than 4,316 customers since Monday’s tornado. ComEd will continue to work on areas that still require restoration. ComEd estimated on Tuesday that all customers will be restored by 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Village has not received any updates to that estimation. Residents can find updates on outages on ComEd’s outage map. 

Connect with the Village for Updates

The Village will continue to share information as it becomes available. Updates will be shared on social media, through the Village’s e-mail newsletter (sign up at www.villageoflombard.org/enews) and on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/storm. Additionally, an emergency alert banner has been added to the top of the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org.

August 2020 storm recover update #5 (August 13) 

Emergency Declaration Signed: Debris Pickup Update

Pursuant to an Emergency Declaration issued by the Village President related to the tornado that touched down in Lombard on Monday, August 11, 2020, the deadline to place storm debris out at the parkway for areas within the IMPACT ZONE, (Madison Street to the Great Western Trail) has been extended to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. 

All areas outside of the IMPACT ZONE must still comply with the deadline of 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 13, 2020. Residents unable to comply with these deadlines due to downed power lines that ComEd has not addressed should contact Public Works at 630-620-5740.

August 2020 Storm Recovery: Update #4 (August 13)

Cleanup efforts continue after an EF-1 tornado caused a 2-mile-long path of damage through the heart of Lombard. Many residents have regained power and most streets have been reopened. Some streets directly within the tornado’s path remain closed as the Village awaits ComEd crews to clear downed lines. 

Power Outage Update 

As of 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 13^th, ComEd reports that there are 1,324 customers in Lombard that remain without power, due to 44 outages.. Residents can check the status of outages in Lombard on ComEd’s website: www.comed.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/OutageMap.aspx. ComEd has stated that all customers will be restored by 3 p.m. on Saturday.

More than 92,000 ComEd customers remain without power. ComEd has stated that they have more than 800 employees working around the clock to restore energy, with more than 1,100 mutual assistance workers come in from out of state to assist in restoration efforts.

Debris Pickup: 

• Per the Village’s policy, storm debris is required to be on curbs within 72 hours after the storm event, which means debris should be on curbs by 4:30 p.m. today, August 13^th. Village crews will continue to collect and dispose of material throughout the next week.
• Debris that is not on curbs in time for collection will need to be disposed of through standard practices, including bundling and stickering.
• The Village has received mutual aid from multiple agencies to help expedite the collection process including, DuPage County Department of Transportation, Bensenville, Wooddale, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Mount Prospect.
• For residents that have been delayed in clearing debris from their property due to downed power lines, please contact Public Works at (630)620-5740.

Ongoing Cleanup Continues

Some isolated areas continue to remain closed due to downed power lines. We ask for your patience as we work to restore our Village. The Village has coordinated with the Lombard Park District to stockpile debris at the parking lot at Lombard Common, which will allow the Village to more quickly address the debris. While the Village continues to clear streets throughout the Village, including areas heavily impacted near Park District property, the Village is not removing material on Park District property.

If you would like more information please feel free to contact Public Works directly at (630)620-5740.

Homeowners Reminded to Repair Electrical Damage Prior to ComEd’s Arrival 

• If you have received electrical damage to your home, you can choose to hire a private electrician to make repairs, so that your home is ready to be reconnected when ComEd arrives to connect the final portion. ComEd will not repair any equipment that is attached to your home. If this equipment is not already repaired when ComEd arrives, they may require the equipment to be repaired before restoring your power.
• A general rule of thumb is that anything attached to your home is owned by the homeowner. If you sustained damage on any of those items, you should check with your insurance company.
  

Heat Safety Reminders and Well-Being Checks 

If you are without power or are working outdoors in hot weather, it is important to follow heat safety tips: (www.villageoflombard.org/summer)

• Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities.
• Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness. If you are worried about a neighbor, you may contact the Lombard Police Department to conduct a well-being check.

Connect with the Village for Updates

The Village will continue to share information as it becomes available. Updates will be shared on social media, through the Village’s e-mail newsletter (sign up at www.villageoflombard.org/enews) and on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/storm. Additionally, an emergency alert banner has been added to the top of the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org.

August 2020 Storm Recover Update #3 (August 12)

On Monday, August 10th, the Village of Lombard was impacted by a storm that included a touchdown of an EF-1 tornado within the corporate limits of the Village. The tornado caused a 2-mile-long path of damage through the heart of our Village. Public Works crews continue to clear large, broken trees from streets and remove dangerous limbs overhanging roadways, driveways and sidewalks. The Village’s top priority is to clear streets so that residents, emergency vehicles and ComEd can maintain access. Crews continue to work to clear trees and limbs, however some streets remain closed at this time as the Village awaits ComEd crews to clear the lines.

Power Outage Update 

• ComEd crews are working throughout the Village to fix downed and broken lines and have restored power to more than 2,160 customers. As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12th, ComEd reports that 2,572 customers in Lombard remain without power. Residents can check the status of outages in Lombard on ComEd’s website. 
• Restoration will be prioritized for high risk customers including hospitals, nursing homes, medical care facilities and multi-family units. The majority of Lombard’s residential outages affect single family homes, which may take second priority in this emergency situation. ComEd has 
• More than 205,000 ComEd customers remain without power. ComEd has stated that they have more than 800 employees working around the clock to restore energy, with more than 1,100 mutual assistance workers come in from out of state to assist in restoration efforts.

Ongoing Village Cleanup Efforts 

• The Public Works Department has all available personnel working to address the damage from the storm event. The Village has requested assistance through the DuPage County Mutual Aid Network and the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. The Village has received assistance from the DuPage County Department of Transportation, the Village of Carol Stream and the Village of Bloomingdale.
• The Village has coordinated with the Lombard Park District to stockpile debris at the Lombard Common, which will allow the Village to more quickly address the debris. While the Village continues to clear streets throughout the Village, including areas heavily impacted near Park District property, the Village is not removing material on Park District property. Trees that are on Park District property are the responsibility of the Park District and been cleared trees with their own staff.
• Some streets continue to remain closed due to downed power lines and fallen trees. Crews are working to help debris and damage caused by Monday’s EF-1 tornado. The Village has requested mutual aid assistance to help expedite our cleanup efforts. We ask for your patience as we work to restore our Village. If you would like more information please feel free to contact Public Works directly at (630)620-5740.
• The Village’s top priority is to remove debris from the roadways and remove any dangerous limbs and branches overhanging the roadways, sidewalks and driveways within the parkways, so that residents and emergency vehicles can regain and maintain access. Some streets continue to remain closed due to downed power lines and fallen trees. Crews are working to help debris and damage caused by Monday’s EF-1 tornado.
  
  We ask for your patience as we work to restore our Village. If you would like more information please feel free to contact Public Works directly at (630)620-5740.

Debris Pick Up (no bags): Place Debris at Curbs by Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

To help residents impacted by Monday’s tornado, a free debris pickup will be taking place. 

• All debris must be placed on the parkway no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th in order to qualify for the free pick-up. Tree and vegetation material will be picked up and mulched. Non-tree items or trash is not part of the storm debris collection.
• Do not fill bags with debris. ONLY loose tree debris will be collected. This includes small items.
• Debris placed on the parkway before Thursday at 4:30 p.m. does not have to be bundled or cut to any specific length.
• Material placed out after Thursday at 4:30 p.m., may disposed of in accordance with the Village of Lombard refuse contract, which requires material to be cut, bundled and stickered.
• The Village is responsible for more than 9,100 trees. The Village will not enter private property. Trees planted on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. Village trees that are planted on the parkways or Village property that have fallen onto private property will be removed.

Homeowners Reminded to Repair Electrical Damage Prior to ComEd’s Arrival

If you have received electrical damage to your home, you can choose to hire a private electrician to make repairs, so that your home is ready to be reconnected when ComEd arrives to connect the final portion. ComEd will not repair any equipment that is attached to your home. If this equipment is not already repaired when ComEd arrives, they may require the equipment to be repaired before restoring your power.

A general rule of thumb is that anything attached to your home is owned by the homeowner. If you sustained damage on any of those items, you should check with your insurance company.

Connect with Us for Updates The Village will continue to share information as it becomes available. Updates will be shared on social media, through the Village’s e-mail newsletter (sign up at www.villageoflombard.org/enews) and on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/storm. Additionally, an emergency alert banner has been added to the top of the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org.

August 2020 Windstorm Update #2 (August 11) 

Lombard Public Works crews continue to clear debris from roads throughout Lombard. Early observations indicate that the area around downtown Lombard, Lombard Commons, and Madison Meadow Park (between Wilson Avenue and Greenfield Ave.) have received more damage than other areas. 

Power Outages
As of 12:30 p.m., ComEd reports that 4,700 customers in Lombard are without power, due to 103 separate outages. ComEd crews are working throughout the Village to fix downed and broken lines.  Residents can check the status of outages in Lombard on ComEd’s website at https://www.comed.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/OutageMap.aspx.

ComEd has shared the following information on their Facebook page: Our current estimate is that all customers will be restored by 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. We recommend customers take whatever steps they feel necessary to keep themselves and their families safe during this time. 

Based upon ComEd protocols, restoration will be prioritized for high risk customers including hospitals, nursing homes, medical care facilities and multi-family units. The majority of Lombard’s residential outages affect single family homes, which may take second priority in this emergency situation.  Updates will be shared as they are made available by ComEd. We understand the inconvenience of power outages and we thank you for your patience.

The Village has been notified that ComEd has more than 800 employees working around the clock to restore energy to affected customers. More than 340,000 ComEd customers remain without power (11 a.m. on 8/11). In addition to ComEd’s personnel more than 1,100 mutual assistance workers have come in from out of state to assist in restoration efforts.

Several streets remain closed due to fallen trees or downed power lines. Residents are asked to avoid these areas and to dial 9-1-1 if they witness an unsafe situation, including a downed powerline.

Debris Pick Up 

• The severity of the windstorm did meet the Village Response level in the Village’s Storm Debris Management Policy.  Under the Village Response level, residents have 72 hours to place damaged limbs, trees, or bushes from both the parkway and private property, in the parkway for a free collection. All debris must be placed on the parkway no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13^th in order to qualify for the free pick-up. Tree and vegetation material will be picked up and mulched. Non-tree items or trash is not part of the storm debris collection.
• Debris placed on the parkway before Thursday at 4:30 p.m. does not have to be bundled or cut to any specific length. Material placed out after 72 hours (4:30 pm on Thursday, August 13^th) must be disposed of in accordance with the Village of Lombard refuse contract, which requires material to be cut, bundled and stickered.
• The Village is responsible for more than 19,100, trees. Trees planted on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. The Village will not enter private property. Village trees that are planted on the parkways that have fallen onto private property will be removed.  
  
• Residential Structure Damage
• Lombard’s Building and Code Enforcement staff has inspected impacted homes and businesses.
• Most residential homes that were damaged, occurred light damage. There are some homes that sustained significant damage after having been struck by large fallen trees.
• If you have received electrical damage at your home, you can choose to hire a private electrician to make repairs, so that your home is ready to be reconnected when ComEd arrives to connect the final portion.
• A general rule of thumb is that anything attached to your home is owned by the homeowner. If you sustained damage on any of those items, you should check with your insurance company.

The Village will continue to share information as it becomes available. Updates will be shared on social media, through the Village’s e-mail newsletter (sign up at www.villageoflombard.org/enews) and on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/storm. Additionally, an emergency alert banner has been added to the top of the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org

August 10th Update

Damage resulting from today’s storm has impacted the Lombard area. The Village is currently completing a damage assessment of the impacted areas. The Village’s priority is to clear debris and downed limbs within the roadways to allow safe travel by the public and first responders. The limbs and downed branches will be placed in the parkway for removal by the Village within 72 hours. The storm had recorded wind speeds exceeding 50 MPH at Glenbard East High School and more than 200 homes were impacted. Under the Village of Lombard’s Storm Debris Management Policy, tree limbs and downed bushes may be placed onto the parkway by Residents and the material will be collected and disposed of by the Village. Material must be out within 72 hours from the end of the storm event. Material placed out after 72 hours must be disposed of in accordance with the Village of Lombard Refuse Contract, which requires material to be cut, bundled and stickered. The collection does not include household items or trash, but is limited to tree limbs and branches. The Village does not enter private property to assist with removals.

Lombard Police, Fire, and Public Works are working to restore roadways and are addressing calls reporting damage. Residents should dial 9-1-1 if they encounter any downed power lines or smell gas, or have a situation that requires attention.

Residents should report power outages to ComEd at 1-800-edison1 or on their website at: https://secure.comed.com/…/Report…/pages/ReportAnOutage.aspx

ComEd’s power outage map is a helpful resource in tracking power outages and updates: https://www.comed.com/…/CheckOutageSta…/Pages/OutageMap.aspx