| Save Water Street Streator, Illinois |
On March 26, 2007, a landslide occurred on the East
bank of the Vermilion River between the two bridges
on Route 18 in Streator, Illinois.
The river is down an embankment over 100 feet down
and only 80 feet deep.
Since that date, major erosion and flooding have
occurred to the two properties at 212 and 214 Water
Street. The debris from the slide filled about half of
the river bed causing the current to change course and
pick up velocity. As the water hit the toe of the bank
with great force, erosion began. Erosion has washed
away 10 to 50 feet of property, as well as destroying
over 40 trees. Also, a larger brick fire pit, two decks,
connecting walk-ways and stairs have been lost to the
river at the above addresses.
As of this date, all homes with water front access have
severe erosion problems. The affected addresses
include 108 Water Street to 232 Water Street. Many
of these homes are close to the river bank and have
experienced severe losses. The ground has collapsed,
taking several feet of property. In at least one case, the
erosion has caused the earth to pull away from the
home's foundation by 4" to 6". Another home has lost
1/3 to 1/2 of the back yard and is now in danger of
losing the garage, driveway, and home. Cracks in the
foundation and earth are evident.
Several agencies have been contacted including
FEMA, NRCS, City of Streator, and the Army Core
of Engineers. To this point, with the exception of
Jeremy Palm and the City of Streator, none have
offered to help repair the damages.
Because of the imminent danger to several homes, we
are requesting immediate help in saving our
neighborhood from destruction. We appreciate any
and all suggestions.
bank of the Vermilion River between the two bridges
on Route 18 in Streator, Illinois.
The river is down an embankment over 100 feet down
and only 80 feet deep.
Since that date, major erosion and flooding have
occurred to the two properties at 212 and 214 Water
Street. The debris from the slide filled about half of
the river bed causing the current to change course and
pick up velocity. As the water hit the toe of the bank
with great force, erosion began. Erosion has washed
away 10 to 50 feet of property, as well as destroying
over 40 trees. Also, a larger brick fire pit, two decks,
connecting walk-ways and stairs have been lost to the
river at the above addresses.
As of this date, all homes with water front access have
severe erosion problems. The affected addresses
include 108 Water Street to 232 Water Street. Many
of these homes are close to the river bank and have
experienced severe losses. The ground has collapsed,
taking several feet of property. In at least one case, the
erosion has caused the earth to pull away from the
home's foundation by 4" to 6". Another home has lost
1/3 to 1/2 of the back yard and is now in danger of
losing the garage, driveway, and home. Cracks in the
foundation and earth are evident.
Several agencies have been contacted including
FEMA, NRCS, City of Streator, and the Army Core
of Engineers. To this point, with the exception of
Jeremy Palm and the City of Streator, none have
offered to help repair the damages.
Because of the imminent danger to several homes, we
are requesting immediate help in saving our
neighborhood from destruction. We appreciate any
and all suggestions.
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| The sounds you hear are a recording of the Vermilion River taken from the backyard of one of the affected residents. They would hate to lose the tranquility. |
| Updates: |
| 7/7/09. We just had a meeting with the City of Streator. They are working hard to acquire funding from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. There is a deadline to have the application in by the end of July. We are hoping to get assistance. |
| 7/19/09. We just found out Riverview Cemetery which is just downstream and across the river from Water Street have graves in jeopardy as the slide is affecting them also. |
| 9/19/09 The application has been submitted to FEMA. We are now waiting to hear if they can help. |
We have had people contact us to state it is our fault
for living on a river and we deserve no help. The river
was there before the homes were built or the residents
chose to live on a river. We understand the belief you
take risks living on a river. What is different here is the
slide. We have heard many ideas of why the slide
happened, how it may have been repaired incorrectly,
and how someone is to blame. If this were a natural
occurrence, the land would not have began to erode so
progressively. We are looking for answers so the river
can be put back to the way it was. Nature will erode
river embankments, but if man has unnecessarily sped
up the process, that needs to be fixed. We are not
looking to point blame at anyone, but we would like
help. If this is not corrected, it will only get worse, and
more homes other than Water Street will be at risk.
Many of the articles and documents we posted point to
man made causes of the slide. Review the documents
and make your own decision.
for living on a river and we deserve no help. The river
was there before the homes were built or the residents
chose to live on a river. We understand the belief you
take risks living on a river. What is different here is the
slide. We have heard many ideas of why the slide
happened, how it may have been repaired incorrectly,
and how someone is to blame. If this were a natural
occurrence, the land would not have began to erode so
progressively. We are looking for answers so the river
can be put back to the way it was. Nature will erode
river embankments, but if man has unnecessarily sped
up the process, that needs to be fixed. We are not
looking to point blame at anyone, but we would like
help. If this is not corrected, it will only get worse, and
more homes other than Water Street will be at risk.
Many of the articles and documents we posted point to
man made causes of the slide. Review the documents
and make your own decision.
| 4/1/10 The is word the application has been approved, but no confirmation has been made. The residents still have no word of a resolution. |
| 4/7/10 New photos have been added that were taken on 4/4/10. One of the residents has lost another 2 1/2 feet off their yard. |
| 11/4/10 New copies of letters and a new newspaper article were added. The City of Streator has said money is coming for the work, but no specifics have been revealed. |