By Stefan Schumacher

In what may now be called the aftermath of a disaster, the City of Des Plaines looked towards recovery today (Saturday) after a week that has left incalculable damage, flood-ravaged homes, and more than half the city without power.

"The next big plan that we've got is to clean this all up," said Mayor Tony Arredia during a tour Saturday of Big Bend Drive with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-33d), and State Senator Susan Garrett (D-29th). The Journal & Topics Newspapers accompanied Arredia, Durbin, Garrett and Kotowski, along with Interim City Manager Jason Bajor and Police Chief Jim Prandini as they surveyed the damage. Arredia and Durbin waded barefoot into water that has submerged much of Big Bend Drive.

Arredia led the charge in what became a somewhat surreal scene of cameramen and television reporters with their shoes and socks off, trudging through possibly contaminated river water, swarming Senator Durbin, as homeowners and residents milled around in the background. Some were looking for answers as to when their power would return, but there doesn't seem to be any at this hour.

"You'll have to ask our good friends at Commonwealth Edison," said Bajor.

However, contacting the power company is seemingly impossible. City officials said even the government liaison at ComEd is unreachable. Arredia said that the biggest problem facing the city right now is the lack of electricity.

"If we could get the power back on, 80% of our problems would disappear," he said. Meanwhile, some share generators, pumping water out of flooded basements, while others undoubtedly remain in the dark. Businesses at Metropolitan Square have been closed, although some may be opening back up, and even City Hall has not regained power without the use of a generator.

"The grid just got gutted," Bajor said.

Prandini said that it will be some time before a total cost to the city can be calculated, as the Public Works Dept. still has heavy work ahead, clearing debris, downed and damaged trees, and whatever else has come loose in the midst of the storms. The sandbags that have been put out will need to be removed as well. Many of them have been contaminated by water from the Des Plaines River.

Driving down Perry Street, near downtown Des Plaines, Durbin and Bajor commented on the storm's damage to trees, riding past one that had been literally split in two. Many of the trees were not damaged or diseased to begin with, but still stood no chance against the intense weather conditions.

Durbin arrived at City Hall around 10 a.m., and was given a tour of the city's Command Center, located in the basement. Arredia and Director of Engineering Tim Oakley explained the projections for the River's flood level, which was last measured by the National Weather Service (NWS) at 7.67 ft., down from over eight feet where it was most of yesterday. The NWS is predicting it will recede back below flood stage between Monday and Tuesday.

Others in the center worked diligently on phones and computers, organizing efforts to mitigate the damage.

While at Big Bend Drive, Arredia, Durbin, Kotowski and Garrett made their way into some of the most severely flooded homes. One resident, artist Beverly Becker, gave Durbin copies of some of her paintings.

Some of the visit was obviously meant for the cameras. When one television station arrived late, the politicians, about ready to leave, went back towards the water to film more interviews.

At the same time, Durbin took time to meet and greet residents, taking pictures and showing genuine concern for what has happened and what will be done about it in the future. He questioned Arredia thoroughly during the tour about the Des Plaines operation.

The last stop was at the Levee 50 pumping station on Busse Highway, which Arredia said saved nearby streets Mason Lane, Apple Creek Lane and Crabtree Lane.

The tour also drove past the flood wall being built along Miner Street, which Arredia said will go all the way down Rand. The hope is that the next time this happens, things won't be quite as bad.

In the meantime, a cleanup and recovery effort is underway.

Arredia told Durbin he wants the senator to come back soon to have lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise.

"When you get the power back on I will," said Durbin.

"We don't need it, we'll just get outside and barbeque," said Arredia.

The mayor also left his visitor with a piece of advice after taking a stroll through the flood water.

"What I recommend you do about nine o'clock tonight is check your feet, and if they're glowing, get it checked out."