Homeowners on Wilmette's west side woke up Tuesday, July 28, 2026, with dry basements after Monday's 4-inch deluge — and the village says its underground stormwater vaults are the reason.
The Neighborhood Storage Project, a $61.5 million network of underground tanks beneath Hibbard Park, Thornwood Park, and Community Playfields, captured approximately 3.5 million gallons during Monday's storm, according to a village storm update posted Tuesday. That kept water out of streets, yards, and sewer lines west of Ridge Road, the village said, preventing the kind of basement backups that plagued the area for decades before the system was completed in 2023.
The 3.5 million gallons used roughly 24% of the system's total 14.6 million-gallon capacity, based on figures from the village's project page. The system still had 76% capacity remaining.
Village rain gauges recorded 4.05 inches at the Water Plant and 3.05 inches at the Stormwater Pumping Station on Lake Avenue. The West Park Sanitary Storage & Pumping Station, which protects against sewer-related basement backups, pumped an additional 0.21 million gallons. All stormwater west of Ridge Road drains to a single pumping station on Lake Avenue, where it is pumped to the North Branch of the Chicago River.
When the Village Board approved the project in 2018, Wilmette's west side had a long history of urban flooding. Brigitte Berger-Raish, the village's director of engineering and public works, told trustees in December 2023 that the system would "bring flood relief to thousands of residents." Monday's storm was a significant test of that promise.
175 service requests and counting
As of Tuesday morning, the village had received more than 175 service requests for tree damage, downed branches, flooding, and electrical outages. Village crews worked overnight Monday into Tuesday responding to emergencies, and full crews and contractors worked extended hours Tuesday.
As we reported July 28, the storm initially knocked out power to nearly 3,000 ComEd customers across Wilmette. By Tuesday morning, ComEd reported 31 remaining outages affecting 750 customers. The utility estimated 80% of outages would be restored by noon Wednesday, July 29, with the vast majority of remaining customers back online by 10 p.m. Friday, July 31.
The village noted it is not permitted to touch any trees on power lines; ComEd is addressing those separately.
What residents need to do
Public Works is conducting a special collection of fallen or broken tree branches and large limbs through mid-August. Only large limbs placed at the curb will be collected. Smaller twigs and brush should go out as yard waste through LRS. Damaged trees on private property must be removed by private contractors.
The village's storm response priorities: first, clearing trees and debris from roadways; second, community-wide cleanup of parkways and public property.
Residents can report non-emergency storm issues by calling 847-251-2700 (or 847-256-1200 after hours) or submitting a service request online. Questions about the branch collection can go to Public Works at [email protected] or 847-853-7500. Downed power lines should be reported by calling 911.
Across the North Shore
Neighboring Winnetka, which operates its own municipal electric utility, began a one-time full-pass branch collection Wednesday, July 29, starting in the northwest area of the village. Winnetka Village President Robert H. Dearborn said in a statement Tuesday that the storms "will likely be memorable for many Winnetkans and those in nearby communities, as power outages, flooding, and tree damage were notable." Winnetka's Water & Electric personnel worked until 3:30 a.m. Tuesday to restore service, and Northfield proactively offered assistance Monday afternoon.
