Evanston, Skokie boil orders enters second day after water main break
A boil order remains in effect in north suburban Skokie and Evanston after a water main broke Friday morning. The water flooded many streets, turning to ice and freezing some cars in place.
Village officials, in an update on Saturday, said the water system is refilling, and water pressure will continue to increase throughout the day in Skokie. However, the boil order remains in effect as crews continue to repair the break. The update also mentioned that replenishment of the water system began at 9:10 p.m. on Friday and will continue into Saturday afternoon.
The water system is anticipated to reach minimum pressure by the afternoon, at which point samples will be taken and tested in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Residents are advised to use non-essential water while the system refills. A water bottle distribution event was held at the Sketchbook Brewing, 4901 Main St., from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
While the repair is underway, Westfield Old Orchard Mall announced that it will reopen Saturday at 10 a.m., but individual businesses' hours, such as restaurants, theaters, and salons, may differ.
Mall management recommends guests call the store they want to visit prior to going to the shopping center.
When and where did the water main break start?
According to a Village of Skokie alert, the water main that broke around 5:15 a.m. near East Prairie Road and Emerson Street is affecting the area's water supply. Skokie officials said around 67,500 residents are impacted, with either low water pressure or no water pressure in their homes.
A boil water order is in effect until further notice for everyone in Skokie, including those in the 60076, 60077, and 60203 zip codes. A boil order was also issued for parts of Evanston, affecting nearly 11,600 residents until further notice, listed on the map below:
It didn't take long after the water main broke for water to stretch along streets for several blocks in every direction. By around 10 a.m., some of the water was receding from the curbs, uncovering drains, but by then much of the water already had frozen into slush and ice on the streets, and in yards.
Skokie Public Works director Max Slankard said crews have made "significant progress" in restoring water service despite the frozen ground and water.
Hours after the water main broke, crews were working Friday night to install a new water main, and village officials said they hoped to have water service back to normal overnight.
Meantime, Skokie Health and Human Services Director Mike Charley said the boil order will be in place until at least Saturday afternoon.
The boil order reminds residents to boil or avoid tap water, including water used for brushing teeth, cooking, and drinking. Village officials advised boiling tap water for at least five minutes and then letting it cool before using it for anything. The village said it will distribute bottled water directly to critical facilities, including senior care and living facilities.
Road closures in Skokie include McCormick Street from Dempster to Golf Road and East Prairie Road from Church Street to Golf Road. Residents are asked to avoid the area.
The Red Cross is working with residents displaced by the flooding, or who can't get enough heat at home.
"We understand that some homes or businesses that have steam heat might have trouble with those heating systems," Skokie Fire Chief Jeffrey Hoeflich said.
The Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St., in Evanston, is open as a warming facility on Friday until 10 p.m., and on Saturday from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Overnight, the Unitarian Church of Evanston is offering a warming center for those who need it. Doors will open at 9 p.m. Friday, and food, sleeping accommodations, financial assistance resources, and mental health resources also will be available.
Skokie officials advised residents who experienced property damage to contact their insurance provider immediately. The village will cooperate with providers, officials said.
"Folks should work first with their insurance provider, because we don't know the particulars of those coverages and those circumstances; but then beyond that, the village has a risk management division, so the village then will respond accordingly to whatever insurance determination is made," Slankard said.
Video from the scene showed water appearing to be knee-deep at times, covering multiple streets. With temperatures well below freezing, much of the water turned to ice before it could drain into the sewer system, freezing some cars in place.
Skokie officials said crews performed emergency repairs on the affected water main around 2 p.m. on Thursday and left around 2 a.m. Friday morning, just hours before the break, but they said it's unclear if that work was connected to the break in the main.
"They certainly didn't leave the scene with the water event that we found ourselves confronting this morning, so I wouldn't expect there is any correlation. Other than, there was a leak of some more minor type going on that we weren't successful in locating last night in the middle of the night," Slankard said.
By Friday night, some streets once coated and caked in a thick layer of ice had been cleared after officials brought in heavy construction equipment to remove it, but many homeowners were still left with flooded basements and garages.
When is water service in Skokie expected to be restored?
Village officials said they hope to restore water to most residents overnight Friday night into early Saturday. However, the boil order will remain in place pending the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's water sampling test results. The boil order is expected to last until possibly Saturday evening, with notifications to follow once the order is lifted.
Village officials organized a giveaway of free bottled water Friday night at Sketchbook Brewing. A second distribution of free bottled water will be offered at Sketchbook Brewing on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at 4901 Main St.
What happens if water was ingested prior to the boil order?
Residents who drank tap water before the boil order was issued, according to Charley, might exhibit gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, and upset stomach. Those experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek medical treatment immediately.
Closures caused by the water main break
District 69 officials announced closures ahead of classes Friday due to the impact on the water supply. Niles North High School was moved to e-learning. It is not clear if classes will remain e-learning after the weekend.
The Skokie Public Library announced that they will be closed until further notice due to the break. They say updates will be posted on their website and social media.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is closed on Friday due to the break as well. Museum officials said they "apologize for the inconvenience."
Ignite Skokie, a local gaming arcade, said they are pushing back their opening time, depending on if the water is turned back on.
EJ's Place Steakhouse in Skokie was also forced to close for Valentine's Day evening due to the main break. In a post on their Facebook account, they said that for the safety of guests, they can't serve food or drinks due to the boil order. Those who had Valentine's Day reservations will be able to reschedule for next week. They also mentioned that the water must be tested twice within 24 hours before they can reopen.
Impact on local hospitals
According to Endeavor Health, Skokie Hospital's parent company, all appointments at Skokie Hospital were canceled, and five other Endeavor locations were closed in Skokie and Evanston. The hospital confirmed that the emergency department is sending ambulances to other facilities.
The hospital released the following statement:
"Skokie Hospital is currently managing an emergency situation due to a village-wide water main break affecting our campus operations. Our top priority is ensuring the safety and care of our patients, and we have implemented comprehensive measures to manage this emergency. We are working closely with local authorities and other Endeavor Health hospitals to coordinate patient care and resource needs.
All our patients remain safe and stable. While our water supply has been impacted, we continue to have heat and other essential utilities available on campus. We have secured bottled water and other necessary supplies to support our patients during this evolving situation. The Skokie Hospital Emergency Department is diverting ambulances to other facilities in coordination with local municipal emergency services. We are actively rescheduling patient appointments and, as needed, transferring patients to other Endeavor Health hospitals which have available capacity to ensure continuous, high-quality care."
Village officials were not sure how many gallons had been spilled due to the break. They hope to include that number later.
CBS News Chicago will continue to provide updates.
