Finally the waters are backing down according too the Mid Continent web site. I have not been there since Sunday nite at about 6:00 pm when the place was still intact. There is some early damage reports posted and it sounds like about what one would expect after the flooding that has happened. There was a report that they were going to pump out the depot basement tomorrow. I don't know who too contact down there, and I doubt if anybody in charge would heed my warning, but I recommend waiting to pump out the depot basement till the ground water subsides as well. If the ground water level is still high you run the risk of hydraulic pressure pushing your foundation in. I will email the manager and president, both who are actively involved with the situation.

Back in about the mid 1980s the Des plaines River in the Chicago area flooded bad. Most of Schiller Park, City of Des plaines and other communities were underwater for quite a spell, much like many areas in the midwest right now. Anyway I was driving truck down there at this time and I remember all the home owners who felt the first step to recovery was to pump the evil water out of the basements. The problem was that they did it too early and many people lost their basements to hydraulic pressure caused by the ground water still being high. Hydraulic pressure from ground water is no small potatoes when it comes to pressure. The damage from the water is already done, it maybe wise to wait a day or two for the ground water to recede, as well as the level in the parking lot. It could save the basement if it isn't already damaged. Water in the basement will counter the pressure from the ground water. By removing the water it will increase the pressure on the walls. Leave the water there for a few days. Maybe I am wrong and the basement is already wrecked or maybe it won't be destroyed by hydraulic pressure, but I would be cautious on how fast I pump out the water.

I can't come down and help out till Wed as that is my day off next week. Good luck folks, my prayers are with you. John Risley