Watch CBS News

Albany Park Residents Worried By Removal Of Sandbags

photo
Nelson Reyes, who lives on Monticello Ave at the river. His house is to the right, and the bare spot in the far background is where the sandbags were taken away this morning. (Credit: Steve Miller)

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Residents of an Albany Park street that was inundated with flooding in April are now concerned that the city of Chicago seems to be taking the sandbags away from the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Albany Park Residents Worried By Removal Of Sandbags

When the city put the sandbags along the river and on Monticello Avenue two months ago, it was - one residents believes - like closing the barn door after the horse is out.

"The street was flooded when they brought the sandbags. So they didn't do us any good then. And I don't know that the threat is necessarily over. By fall we could be having rain again."

So it was a little confusing to Jennifer Sheagren and others when the city started taking away the sandbags.

"The guys told me they are taking all the bags. And they may replace (them) or not."

Nelson Reyes isn't sure what to make of it. He lives in the house closest to the river on Monticello.

One thing he does know: FEMA refused to help him. And his insurance?

"Forty-nine days, starting from April 18 up to this time. I didn't receive a single dime. A single penny."

Newsradio is still waiting on a response from the Chicago Water Department.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.