Wheeling public works says stormwater system held during regional flooding; trustees praise staff

Director Kaup briefed the board on April 20 about recent regional flooding and the village’s response, saying the stormwater system and Buffalo Creek Reservoir provided adequate storage during the event.

"As you may know, the area experienced regional flooding concerns, starting north of us and, coming south through the river system, including the Des Plaines River," Director Kaup said, noting NOAA expected the river to crest at 7 p.m. that night. He told trustees the village’s detention and compensatory storage, including Heritage Park, had additional capacity and that the village had measured about four inches of rain over the week at Public Works gauges.

Trustee Lang and others praised the long-term investment in stormwater projects and asked about specific road impacts. "Wheeling Road, was No issues," Kaup said in response. Trustees emphasized both the operational success and the fiscal choices required for future projects; Trustee Papantos thanked public works and community development staff for avoiding debt while enlarging sewers and adding retention in key neighborhoods.

Kaup cautioned that risk was not over — more rain was forecast later in the week — but said the village’s detention capacity prevented broader local flooding compared with nearby communities where residents reported inundation. The board did not take formal action but directed staff to continue monitoring river levels and to notify the public as conditions evolve.