Deer Creek residents urge city to clarify floodplain "substantial damage" letters; FEMA, state guidance cited

Dozens of residents from the Deer Creek subdivision told the O'Fallon City Public Works Committee on May 5 that a city letter about "substantial damage" assessments after the March storm has caused confusion and concern about when repairs require elevation or other floodplain mitigation.

Residents said the letter, signed by Chad Trueran and dated April 9, 2025, asked property owners in mapped floodplain areas to submit damage estimates so the city could determine whether repair costs meet the National Flood Insurance Program threshold for "substantial damage." Rod Thompson, who read a prepared statement to the committee, said the city's instructions conflicted with FEMA and Illinois guidance and asked the city to rescind the letter: "The city should rescind their letter dated 04/29/2025 and focus on damage related to flooding as FEMA and the state of Illinois FEMA offices have done,"…