Skokie water main break floods neighborhood, boil order issued

Skokie water main break: Neighborhood flooded, boil order issued

A water main break in Skokie flooded roads and neighborhood homes, prompting a boil water order in the area and some schools to shift to remote learning Friday morning.

SKOKIE, Ill. - A water main break in Skokie flooded roads and neighborhood homes, prompting a boil water order in the area and some schools to shift to remote learning Friday morning.

Skokie water main break, flooding

The backstory:

The water main break happened around 5:15 a.m. near the intersection of Emerson Street and East Prairie Road.

Skokie police reported that the village water supply had been impacted. A boil water order was issued around 8 a.m. for people living in Skokie. The boil order was extended to parts of Evanston around 10:30 a.m.

Water main break floods Skokie streets, forcing boil order in surrounding areas

A water main break in Skokie flooded roads and neighborhood homes, prompting a boil water order in the area and some schools to shift to remote learning Friday morning.

Skokie boil order

A village official says the boil order impacts all Skokie residents. This includes people living within the zip codes of 60076, 60077, and 60203.

Officials are urging residents, including in Evanston, to boil tap water for at least five minutes and let it cool before drinking, brushing their teeth, washing dishes or preparing food. Water can still be used for flushing toilets, showering, and washing hands.

Some Skokie residents are reporting very low water pressure or no water supply at all, officials said.

Evanston water testing

City officials released the following statement:

"The City’s Water Production Bureau is actively testing the water supply to ensure its safety and quality. Currently, there is no evidence that Evanston's water system has been contaminated due to the water main break in Skokie.

"The map below details in red the areas that remain under a precautionary boil order. If your location is not marked in red, you may still experience fluctuations in water pressure due to the ongoing impacts; however, rest assured that the water in your area has been confirmed safe for all uses. Reduced water pressure is a common occurrence in such situations."

Overnight Warming Shelter

Residents who are impacted by the water main break and need a place to stay warm Friday night can do so at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, located at 1330 Ridge Avenue.

Doors to the shelter open at 9 p.m. and parking is available on the west side of the building.

There will be food, water, sleeping accommodations, financial resources and mental health resources available for those in need.

The Robert Crown Community Center, located at 1801 Main Street in Evanston, will also be open until 11 p.m. Friday evening as a warming center. It will reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday.

Businesses impacted

Several businesses in Skokie and Evanston have been affected by the water main break, including Westfield Old Orchard mall, which is shut down for the remainder of today.

Old Orchard on Facebook said they expect to reopen on Saturday morning.

Drone video captures impact of water main break in Skokie

A water main break in Skokie flooded roads and neighborhood homes, prompting a boil water order in the area and some schools to shift to remote learning Friday morning.

Local schools announce closures, shifts to e-learning

Two high schools, Niles North and Niles West, announced they will be closed Friday and students will have an e-learning day due to the water main break.

Skokie-Morton Grove School District announced all schools will be closed Friday. Parents are advised to check their email or the ParentSquare app for more information.

All D219 schools except for Bridges Transition Center will be closed for remote learning today, officials announced.

Road closures

Dig deeper:

The flooding has stretched across nearly a mile of local roads with some areas reporting depths of 8 inches.

East Prairie Road, between Church Street and Golf Road, remains closed.
Skokie police said the surrounding roads related to the water main break have since been opened.

Filing an insurance claim

Those who have experienced property damage due to the water main break should contact their insurance provider immediately, officials said. The village of Skokie will then coordinate with the insurance provider to address liability issues if necessary.

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Drone photo of Skokie water main captured by FOX 32 photojournalists Todd Gaertner and Ed Flynn.

When will water service be restored?

The village of Skokie hopes to have water back up and running by Friday night. However, the boil order will remain in effect until water testing is done.

When will the boil order be lifted?

The village expects the boil order to last through at least Saturday night.

Updates will be posted on the village website.

Skokie officials provide update on major water main break

A water main break in Skokie flooded roads and neighborhood homes, prompting a boil water order in the area and some schools to shift to remote learning Friday morning.

Taylor Dayne concert canceled

The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie canceled the Taylor Dayne concert and Northlight Theatre's The Heart Sellers on Friday night due to the water main break.

The building's water was shut off during repairs and won’t be restored in time to safely host the events.

Ticket refunds will be issued at the point of purchase, with online purchases automatically refunded and in-person cash purchases requiring a visit to the box office.

Skokie Hospital, health centers impacted

Due to the water main break, all appointments at the Skokie Hospital campus and five locations in Skokie and Evanston were canceled Thursday and will be rescheduled.

These locations, shared below, will be closed Saturday, Feb. 15: