When Flash Floods Strike Chicago, Turn to Professional Water Damage Restoration
Sam Simon
June 27, 2015Any time it rains in the greater Chicago, IL area, there’s a possibility that a flash flood will occur and cause extensive
water damage
to your home or business. That’s the bad news. But the good news is that you don’t have to face the devastating effects of water damage from a flash flood on your own. At ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, we’re available round-the-clock to quickly assess the problem and then put our professional
water damage restoration
technicians to work immediately.
Flash floods are short-term events, occurring within two hours of the start of high-intensity rainfall. They can be produced when slow moving or multiple thunderstorms occur over the same area. When storms move faster, flash flooding is less likely because the rain is distributed over a broader area. Other causes of flash flooding include dam and levee failures, rapid snowmelt, and ice jams.
Highly populated areas, such as Chicago, have a high risk for flash floods. That’s because the construction of parking lots, buildings, driveways, and highways increases runoff and decreases natural ground absorption. During periods of heavy rainfall, the city’s storm drains might become overwhelmed and flood roads and buildings.
Below are some helpful terms to become familiar with so you can keep yourself and your family safe if flooding is a possibility. Knowing the differences between “watches” and “warnings” can help you be better prepared for a potential flash flood in your neighborhood:
- Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Check your cell phone or television for updates from a reputable weather channel news service.
- Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground. Continue checking weather reports.
- Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring. Gather your family together and seek higher ground immediately.
If an unfortunate flash flood befalls your Chicago neighborhood this summer,
call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons
at 773-376-1110 to remedy your water damage situation. We’ll pull out all the stops to restore your home or business to its pre-loss condition in a flash!
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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(773) 376-1110
(773) 376-1110
