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Resident says blocked culvert led to catastrophic July 4 flooding; city denied claim as 'act of God'
Summary
Phyllis Toscano told the council that blocked city culverts caused July 4 flooding that totaled cars and submerged streets; she said she submitted a claim (6122978) but was told 311 investigators and risk management found no malfunction and labeled the event an 'act of God,' denying the claim.
Phyllis Toscano described severe flooding in her Belz Terrace neighborhood during the heavy rains on July 4 and told the council she holds the city responsible for what she called a failure to maintain a culvert. Toscano said stormwater backed up into streets and garages, resulting in extensive vehicle damage; she reported that roughly 30 vehicles in a garage were damaged or totaled.
Toscano said she assembled photographic evidence and hand-delivered a comprehensive claim packet to the city's legal department and to her alderman's office on July 24. She said 311 later sent a notification that risk management and public works had determined the water and sewer systems were functioning as designed and that the damage was the result of an "act of God," and that her claim was being denied (claim number 6122978). Toscano asked the city to take responsibility and demanded accountability for the maintenance she says was neglected.
The deputy mayor asked Toscano to provide contact information so staff could follow up after the meeting.
