
Flash Flood Preparedness Chicago – How to Protect Your Home

Sam Simon
July 1, 2025Chicago is one of the most flood-prone cities in the Midwest. Learn how to protect your home, respond during emergencies, and recover fast with expert insights from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.
Published by ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
Flash floods in Chicago aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous, fast, and increasingly common. If you live in the city or suburbs like Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, or Oak Park, you’ve likely seen heavy storms overwhelm sewers, back up basements, or cause street-level flooding. But is your home actually ready for the next one?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to protect your home—and your family—before, during, and after a flash flood.
Why Flash Flooding Happens So Often in Chicago
Chicago’s aging infrastructure, dense development, and changing climate have made it one of the Midwest’s most flood-prone metro areas.
Key contributors:
- Combined sewers: Many older neighborhoods share storm and wastewater lines, which overflow easily in heavy rain.
- Flat terrain: Little elevation change means water has nowhere to go.
- Hard surfaces: Paved streets, driveways, and sidewalks prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground.
FACT: According to the National Weather Service, Cook County has experienced over 45 major flood events since 2000.
Flood Watch vs. Flash Flood Warning
Many homeowners confuse the different flood alerts, but understanding the terminology can help you respond faster and stay safer.
- Flood Watch = Conditions are favorable for flooding → Stay alert, check your sump pump
- Flash Flood Watch = Flooding is likely and can happen fast → Prepare to act immediately
- Flash Flood Warning = Flooding is happening or imminent → Get to higher ground now
Tip: Sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts or use apps like FEMA, AccuWeather, or Ready Illinois.
Top 10 Ways to Flood-Proof Your Home
- Install a sump pump with battery backup
- Clean gutters and downspouts regularly
- Seal foundation cracks and basement windows
- Install a sewer backflow prevention valve
- Cover window wells
- Grade landscaping away from the home
- Raise utilities and appliances off the basement floor
- Use smart water sensors
- Store valuables in plastic bins
- Maintain documentation of all improvements
Bonus Tip: Schedule an annual plumbing inspection.
Your Emergency Flood Supply Checklist
- Flashlights & batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Waterproof boots & gloves
- First aid kit
- Sump pump alarm
- Wet/dry vacuum
- 5-gallon buckets & towels
- Waterproof document bags
Does Insurance Cover Flash Flooding?
No. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
To be protected:
- Purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Add a water backup endorsement
- Take photos of your home and belongings pre-storm
📖 Learn more in:RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset
What To Do During a Flash Flood
- Stay upstairs—avoid basements
- Shut off power if safe
- Avoid walking through floodwater
- Listen for evacuation orders
- Keep children and pets away from floodwater
Floodwater can contain sewage, bacteria, and toxins.
What to Clean or Replace After a Flood
Replace:
- Soaked drywall, carpet, insulation
- Upholstered furniture touched by floodwater
- Cardboard, paper goods
Clean & Disinfect:
- Concrete floors and walls
- Wood framing with antimicrobials
- HVAC systems
Mold starts growing in 24–48 hours.
When to Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
Call us if:
- There’s 2+ inches of standing water
- You suspect gas or electrical danger
- Structural materials are soaked
- You need help with insurance documentation
We provide:
- 24/7 emergency response
- Certified water mitigation experts
- Direct insurance billing
- Structural drying, cleanup & reconstruction
(847) 316-9145 | Contact Us Online
Why Trust ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?
- 40+ years serving Chicagoland
- IICRC Master Water Restorers
- RIA Member
- Responded to major disasters: Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Texas Freeze
- Locally trusted, nationally recognized
FAQ: Flash Flood Preparedness in Chicago
Q: What areas of Chicago are most flood-prone?
A: Older neighborhoods with combined sewers like Albany Park, West Ridge, and parts of Logan Square tend to flood most often.
Q: How quickly can mold grow after a basement flood?
A: Mold can start within 24–48 hours, so it’s crucial to act fast.
Q: Is basement flood cleanup covered by insurance?
A: Only if you have flood insurance or water backup coverage. Standard policies do not include flood cleanup.
Q: Can I clean up a flooded basement myself?
A: Light cleanup is possible, but professional restoration is strongly recommended for anything more than an inch or two of water.
Q: What should I do first if my basement is flooding?
A: Shut off electricity (if safe), stop water entry if possible, and call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.
About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is Chicagoland’s trusted leader in water damage restoration, flood cleanup, and emergency disaster response. With over 40 years of local service and deep roots in the community, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners and businesses recover from flash floods, sewage backups, and severe storm events.
We are:
- IICRC Certified: Master Water, Fire, and Textile Restorers
- RIA Members: Proud to follow the highest restoration standards
- Locally Owned: Based in Chicago with teams serving the North Shore, Oak Park, River Forest, and surrounding suburbs
- Nationally Proven: Responded to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, Superstorm Sandy, and the Texas Freeze
Led by owner Sam Simon—an industry veteran and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—our company combines technical expertise with compassionate service. When disaster strikes, we’re here to restore your home and peace of mind.
Learn more at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons or call us at (847) 316-9145.
Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile
Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
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