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The phone call that Mr. Joravsky mentioned from me to Streets and Sanitation commissioner Eileen Carey resulted in a small army of municipal workers being sent into the flood areas even as the rain continued to fall. These workers removed damaged trees and fallen branches, repaired storm-disabled streetlights and traffic signals, and performed other emergency tasks that continued around the clock until everything was fixed.
The next day all 50 ward superintendents were sent to thoroughly survey the damage in their areas and assess the amount of ruined furniture and other water-damaged property that people began hauling out of their basements. When their reports came back to City Hall indicating the extent of the destruction, Commissioner Carey personally toured the worst-hit wards with their aldermen. Mayor Richard M. Daley also ordered city departments to assist flooded residents with extra services, including help carrying damaged goods out to the alleys for special bulk pickup.
Department of Streets and Sanitation
