Storm & Flash Flood Damage Cleanup in Cicero, IL
Cicero does not flood from a river. It floods when a cloudburst drops more rain than the streets and sewers can carry. Call and we will help you get the water out and the house dry.
- Water removal and drying
- Sewer backup cleanup
- Photos and moisture logs for insurance
Before help arrives
Then call. We will take it from there.
- 1Never drive or walk through flooded viaducts or underpasses.
- 2Stay out of a flooded basement until the power to it is off.
- 3Photograph water levels, damage and debris before cleanup.
- 4Register with FEMA if a disaster is declared, even if you have insurance.
What is storm and flood damage restoration?
Storm and flood damage restoration is the cleanup of a home after rain water enters from outside or backs up through the sewer: pumping out water, removing soaked materials, disinfecting surfaces flood water touched, drying the structure and documenting everything for insurance. Flood water is treated as contaminated, so more materials are removed than after a clean pipe leak.
Last updated . Sources are listed at the end of this page.
After the storm: what needs professional help
Once the rain stops, these are the signs the cleanup is bigger than a weekend job:
- Water entered living space or a finished basement
- Water came up through drains as well as in through doors or window wells
- Drywall, insulation or carpet stayed wet for more than a day
- The furnace, water heater or electrical panel got wet
- A musty smell has started
- You need written records of the damage for insurance or FEMA
How storm cleanup works
After a widespread storm, everyone needs help at once. A clear process gets the most important work done first.
- 1
Safety and triage
Check for electrical and gas hazards, then decide what must happen today (water out, sewage removed) and what can wait.
- 2
Document before removal
Photos, video and a room-by-room list of damage and contents, before anything goes to the curb.
- 3
Remove water and debris
Pump out standing water, then remove mud, debris and soaked materials.
- 4
Flood cut and disinfect
Drywall is cut out above the water line, and surfaces flood water touched are cleaned and disinfected.
- 5
Dry and monitor
Dehumidifiers and air movers run with daily moisture readings until the structure is dry enough to rebuild.
Not sure how bad it is?
A two-minute call and a few questions usually tell us what the job needs.
Call now: (708) 360-8574How storms flood Cicero
Cicero is flat, fully built out and drained by a combined sewer. That combination means a short, intense storm can flood thousands of homes at once.
The July 2, 2023 storm
Two bands of heavy rain stalled over the western edge of Chicago that day, with the heaviest totals near Berwyn and Cicero. The Town reports 8.6 inches of rain in Cicero, more than the 100-year storm total for the area. The fire department answered 309 calls in 24 hours, crews made three water rescues of people trapped in basements, and FEMA received over 6,000 registrations from Cicero homeowners and about 1,500 from renters.
Streets and viaducts flood first
When the sewers fill, the Town's flood model shows water spreading across streets and into the public right-of-way, then into low entries, window wells and garages. Rail viaducts collect water quickly. Never drive into one.
Storms are getting heavier
Illinois' official 100-year, 24-hour rainfall total for the area was recently raised from 7.58 to 8.57 inches, according to the Town's action plan. Sewers designed decades ago were not built for that. The Town is using federal recovery money for stormwater storage, sewer work and permeable alleys, but those projects take years.
What affects the cost of flood cleanup
After a big storm, costs depend mostly on how high the water got and what it touched:
- Water height
- Six inches of water means a short flood cut. Three or four feet means most of the basement walls and everything stored down there.
- Contamination
- Flood and sewer water require disinfection and removal of porous materials.
- Finished space
- Bedrooms, family rooms and apartments in basements mean more drywall, flooring and contents.
- Mechanical equipment
- Furnaces, water heaters and electrical panels that went under water usually need inspection or replacement.
- Contents
- Sorting, documenting and disposing of furniture and belongings takes time.
- Delays
- After a regional storm, the longer water sits waiting for help, the more mold and removal it causes.
Prices are not quoted online. A fair estimate comes after the damage has been measured on site.
Insurance and disaster aid after a flood
Storm damage is often covered by more than one source, or none, depending on how the water got in.
- Surface water and rising flood water: only flood insurance covers it (NFIP or private). Flood policies usually take 30 days to start, so buy before storm season.
- Sewer backup during the storm: needs a sewer backup endorsement on your homeowners policy.
- Wind or hail damage that lets rain in: usually covered by homeowners insurance.
- Federal aid: after a disaster declaration, FEMA and SBA programs can help with costs insurance does not cover. Register even if you are insured.
Sources
- Town of Cicero: CDBG-DR Action Plan (draft, July 2025)
- ABC7 Chicago: Cicero, Berwyn get major flooding after record rainfall (July 2023)
- FloodSmart.gov: the National Flood Insurance Program
- Ready.gov: Floods
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Check your own policy for what it covers.
Storm & Flash Flood Damage: common questions
Was the July 2023 flood a federal disaster?
Yes. The State of Illinois declared a disaster on July 11, 2023, and a federal disaster was declared on August 15, 2023, which opened FEMA individual assistance to Cook County residents.
Does homeowners insurance cover flash flooding?
Not water that flows in from outside. That needs flood insurance. Water that backs up through drains needs a sewer backup endorsement. Check both on your policy.
What should I throw out after a flood?
Anything porous that flood water touched and that cannot be cleaned and dried: carpet and pad, mattresses, upholstered furniture, drywall, insulation and most paper. Photograph everything first.
How soon should cleanup start?
Within a day or two if at all possible. The U.S. EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Is Cicero in a FEMA flood zone?
Cicero has no river running through it; its floods come from overwhelmed sewers and streets. Flood zone maps are drawn mainly around rivers and creeks, so check your own address. Flood insurance is available whether or not your home is in a high-risk zone. See FloodSmart.gov.
Related services
Sewer Backup Cleanup
Safe removal and disinfection when the sewer comes up the floor drain.
Flooded Basement Cleanup
Bungalow and two-flat basements after storms, seepage or pump failures.
Mold Remediation
Removing mold that grows after a leak, flood or backup.
We also serve nearby towns
Serving Cicero and the near west suburbs, including:
Water still coming in? Call now.
Shut off the water if you can do it safely, keep away from wet outlets, and call. We will talk you through the next few minutes and get help moving.